Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 January 2022
247. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which Ireland can rely on the European Union for the resources necessary to ensure the future availability of adequate coastal surveillance, air sea rescue or other services necessary for an island nation inside the European Union but some distance from the European mainland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4188/22]
View answer248. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence if the European Union will offer assistance towards the replacement and or upkeep and operation of air and sea rescue and or other services given the nature of the Irish coastline and the possible exploitation by others of perceived weakness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4189/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 247 and 248 together.
The Naval Service, as the State's principal sea-going agency, is tasked with a variety of defence and other roles. While the main day to day tasking of the Naval Service is to provide a fishery protection service in accordance with the State's obligations as a member of the European Union, it also carries out a number of other non-fishery related tasks in tandem with maritime surveillance, and as such any Naval Service patrol should be viewed as a multi-faceted activity.
The Air Corps Maritime Patrol Squadron carries out aerial surveillance of the Irish Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) using the two CASA CN 235 maritime patrol aircraft. These aircraft are equipped with state-of-the-art surveillance and communication equipment which offers aerial assistance to the Naval Service in patrolling the Irish EEZ.
The Naval Service and the Air Corps provide assistance and support to search and rescue missions on an as available basis, however, the lead agency for search and rescue (SAR) in Ireland's SAR domain is the Irish Coast Guard.
In terms of fishery protection the Naval Service is tasked with patrolling all Irish waters from the shoreline to the outer limits of the EEZ. These patrols are carried out on a regular and frequent basis and are directed to all areas of Irish waters as necessary. The Sea Fisheries Protection Authority are the competent authority in relation to fisheries control in Ireland's EEZ.
My Department has applied for EU funding in support of the Defence Forces via the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) Operational Programme (2014-2020). Approval in principle has been received for a number of relevant projects, including projects specifically linked to Naval Service and Air Corps capabilities and operations.
My Department has also begun discussions with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to investigate the possibility of securing additional future funding to support Naval Service and Air Corps operations under the new European Maritime Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) 2021 – 2027.
Ireland is currently involved in an European Defence Agency project named Maritime Surveillance (MARSUR) Networking - Operations Support & Development (MARSUR III). This is the third iteration of the MARSUR projects. The main objective of the EDA Maritime Surveillance programme is to further develop a Recognised Maritime Picture (RMP) exchange network amongst Member States. An RMP is a picture or map that shows all vessels and activities that are present in a particular maritime area. It links to national and international data and information on vessels, the marine environment, infrastructure etc. that has been compiled from various monitoring and surveillance systems. The MARSUR Project continues to enhance, upgrade and develop the capability for participating Member States to share different levels of classified information across the network.
The MARSUR projects have assisted Member States, including Ireland, to combat drug trafficking, smuggling, illegal immigration and migration and international terrorism. Better exchange of information plays an important part in protecting maritime trade, the maritime environment and natural resources.
As a committed EU Member State, Ireland supports fully the efforts of EU Member States to improve the Union's capacity to respond to the prevailing challenging security environment, including in the area of defence.
