Written Answers Nos. 121-140
121. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Defence the way that he plans to resolve the issue in relation to the Siege of Jadotville to the satisfaction of the surviving Irish soldiers involved and the families of those who have passed away; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3865/22]
View answerThe siege of Jadotville was a prominent event that occurred during Ireland's peacekeeping mission in the Congo in September 1961 where "A" Company, 35th Infantry Battalion, came under attack. From the 13th to the 17th September the men of “A” Company endured almost continuous attack. At the end of the Siege, the men were taken into captivity until finally released on the 25th October 1961.
The issue of awarding of Military Medals for Gallantry (MMG) and Distinguished Service Medals (DSMs) to a number of personnel who served in Jadotville in September 1961 has been considered on a number of occasions over the years and a range of actions have taken place to give due recognition to the courage and bravery of all the members of “A” Company, 35th Infantry Battalion who were stationed in Jadotville in 1961.
Notwithstanding the actions that have been taken to date to recognise and honour the valiant actions and bravery of all of the men stationed at Jadotville sixty years ago, an Independent Review Group (IRG) was established to examine and report on matters relating to recommendations for military medals relating to events at Jadotville. The IRG completed its research in July 2021 and has submitted its report. The work of the Independent Review Group has now concluded.
The IRG made a number of recommendations in its report, which was published in full last July, including a recommendation that the 60th anniversary of Jadotville be commemorated. Other recommendations relate to the awarding of medals, veterans affairs and honouring the role of families and the support they provided to veterans. All recommendations have been considered at a high level.
The deeply unsettling aftermath of Jadotville is detailed in the report as is the lack of personal welfare supports afforded to the men following events at Jadotville, their period in captivity and upon their return home. I have apologised to veterans and to their families on behalf of the State and the Government to the men of ‘A’ Company, 35th Infantry Battalion and to their families for the lack of necessary supports or deserved recognition of their valiant service on their return from the Congo and for the many issues that arose as a result, some of which had tragic consequences. I have also acknowledged that the lack of supports in place at that time is extremely regrettable. There have been great steps in the intervening years to support Defence Forces personnel, their families and veterans through the work of the Defence Forces personnel support services.
As a matter relating to the IRG recommendations is currently before the courts, it would not be appropriate for me to provide any further information in relation to the various recommendations made by the IRG at this time.
123. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Defence his plans to improve residential accommodation for the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3622/22]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware it has been a long standing policy, since the 1990’s that the provision of Married Quarters to serving Defence Forces personnel would be discontinued. This move away from this provision was accepted by senior military management at the time and it is not intended to reverse this policy. Single Living in Accommodation is provided for personnel where same is required for training and operational purposes.
The modernisation of such accommodation features significantly in the Defence Forces 5 Year Infrastructure Plan, which has seen the completion of the following refurbishment projects at a combined cost of €11.2m:
- Blocks B & D Pearse Barracks, DFTC ;
- Block 7 Plunket Barracks, DFTC ;
- Blocks 1 & 2 Cathal Brugha Barracks; and the
- Apprentice Hostel, Casement Aerodrome.
The following accommodation projects are now also being progressed at combined estimated value of €26.5m :
- Refurbishment of Blocks 4 & 8 , Naval Service,
- New accommodation Block in Collins barracks, Cork, and
- the refurbishment of the USAC accommodation Block in Renmore, Galway.
125. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Defence if he intends to immediately increase the allocated associated budget given the recent commentary regarding the Defence Forces rations and the increasing cost of food. [3833/22]
View answer126. Deputy Cathal Berry asked the Minister for Defence if he is satisfied with the daily ration rate for enlisted personnel in the Defence Forces; if it is in line with best practice within the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3900/22]
View answer137. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Defence his views on reports that the Defence Forces are attempting to feed members for just €4.20 per day; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3892/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 125, 126 and 137 together.
Defence Forces personnel may avail of daily meals in certain circumstances. This includes personnel engaged in security duties, approved training courses, on operational exercises and single personnel living in barracks.
I am advised that a daily ration rate is set by the military authorities and that this rate is used as a budgeting figure by military cooks when supplying meals to personnel. The rate is currently €4.20 per day.
The rate was originally calculated based on a scale of provisions determined to deliver nutritionally balanced meals with recommended levels of essential food groups and having regard to the cost of such food to the Defence Forces and economies of scale that are achieved. I am advised that the rate has been adjusted over time to provide for inflation.
The Office of Government Procurement has put framework contract arrangements in place for major food procurements for the Defence Forces and other public service bodies. The centralised framework contract arrangements allow for the procurement of fish, dairy, frozen foods, meat, poultry, fruit and vegetables, bread and eggs. Average annual expenditure in this area in the three years 2019 to 2021 has been €3.2 million.
The military authorities have advised me that the daily ration rate will be reviewed having regard to the re-tendering of OGP food contracts, a process which is currently underway. I also note that PDFORRA have raised this matter and their views will be considered.
127. Deputy Cathal Berry asked the Minister for Defence the funds returned unspent to the Exchequer from his Department in 2020 and 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3897/22]
View answerOn an annual basis, the Defence Sector budget, comprising of Vote 35 (Army Pensions) and Vote 36 (Defence) is determined within the overarching budgetary framework and approved by Dáil Eireann, having regard to the level of resources available and defence policy requirements, with multi-annual capital envelopes determined as part of the overarching National Development Plan.
Tables 1 and 2 below outline Defence and Army Pensions expenditure in 2020 and 2021
Table 1 - 2020
|
- |
Vote 35 Army Pensions €m |
Vote 36 Defence €m |
|
Gross Estimate |
259.1 |
781.0 |
|
Gross Outturn |
251.0 |
780.9 |
|
Gross Savings |
8.1 |
0.1 |
|
Additional A-in-As |
0 |
6.1 |
|
Net Exchequer Surrender |
8.1 |
6.2 |
Table 2 - 2021
|
- |
Vote 35 Army Pensions €m |
Vote 36 Defence €m |
|
Gross Estimate |
262.6 |
809.8 |
|
Gross Outturn |
260.1 |
786.5 |
|
Gross Savings |
2.5 |
23.3 |
|
Additional A-in-As |
0 |
6.1 |
|
Net Exchequer Surrender |
2.5 |
29.4 |
It is important to note that Appropriation‘s-in-Aid (A-in-A’s) cannot be used as an additional source of funding. Under Government Accounting Rules, any additional A-in-A’s above the estimate must be surrendered to the Exchequer.
Expenditure under the Army Pensions Vote is essentially demand-driven and non-discretionary and a gross underspend of €8.1 million arose in 2020 and €2.5 million in 2021. This arose mainly due to less personnel exiting the Defence Forces than was originally estimated. In any given year, it is very difficult to predict accurately the exact number of voluntary early retirements from the Defence Forces with entitlement to immediate payment of retirement benefits.
There was a gross underspend of €0.1 million on the Defence Vote in 2020 while the provisional outturn for 2021 indicates a gross underspend of €23 million. This underspend in 2021 is mainly attributable to pay savings which arose due to the actual strength numbers being below the target establishment strength of 9,500 Permanent Defence Force (PDF) personnel. In previous years, with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, such pay savings were reallocated to address spending pressures elsewhere in the Defence Vote subheads and across the Defence Sector. However in 2021, similar to many other Public Service organisations, the continued impact of Covid-19 and supply chain difficulties has limited the extent to which my Department was able to re-direct these savings.
Notwithstanding these difficulties, there was significant capital spending of over €129 million in 2021 on the ongoing upgrade and replacement of essential military equipment and the development of the Defence Forces built infrastructure. This level of expenditure, despite huge Covid-19 and other supply chain challenges, highlights my commitment to ensuring the Defence Forces have the capabilities necessary to enable them to fulfil all roles assigned by Government, both at home and overseas. Additionally, for 2022, the provision of the significant funding allocation of over €1.1 billion emphasises this Government ongoing commitment to the Defence Sector.
The Deputy will be aware that the Government established an independent Commission on the Defence Forces in December 2020. The Commission are finalising their work with a view to completing their Report as soon as possible. The Commission's Report, when submitted, will be fully considered at that point.
128. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Defence if he will report on the progress made by his Department in providing support for Defence Forces veterans in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3633/22]
View answerMy Department provides support to veterans through two recognised Veterans Associations. These Veterans Associations, which represent all former personnel, are Óglaigh Náisiúnta na hÉireann (ONE), the Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel, and the Irish United Nations Veterans Association (IUNVA). ONE has branches in Cork City and Cobh while IUNVA has posts in Cork City and Fermoy.
ONE provides board and lodgings for 54 ex-service personnel in 4 residential homes in Dublin, Letterkenny, Athlone and Cobh, Co. Cork, while IUNVA accommodates 4 retired personnel in its home on The Curragh. In addition, ONE currently has 13 Veterans Support Centres (VSCs) nationwide, while IUNVA operates drop-in centres at 8 of its 22 posts around the country.
My Department engages on an ongoing basis with these veterans’ organisations and has entered into Service Level Agreements with them. An annual grant is paid to both ONE and IUNVA to assist in their overheads and, in line with the commitment in the current Programme for Government to "support the establishment of centres for members of the Defence Forces", my Department continues to facilitate, where possible, the establishment of further ONE Veterans Support Centres and INUVA Posts around the country.
As a further means of assistance, my Department has secured total funding of €500,000 under the Dormant Accounts Fund, to assist ONE and IUNVA with specific special projects. On 3rd October 2021, I officially opened the new residential home, which can accommodate 5 retired members of the Defence Forces and a Veterans Support Centre at 8 Harbour Row, Cobh, Co. Cork. This building was refurbished with funding from the Dormant Accounts Fund. ONE has plans to establish another VSC and hostel to accommodate 6 retired veterans in Cork City. This will bring to 60 the number of retired veterans that ONE will be able to accommodate.
On 29th November 2021, I officially opened the new building housing the Defence Forces Personnel Support Service and ONE's Veterans Support Centre at Campfield, Collins Barracks, Cork. This project was funded by my Department and replaced a temporary Veterans Support Centre in the Cork Barracks.
129. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Defence the new initiatives that are anticipated within the European Union as tension mounts in many sectors globally. [3861/22]
View answerThe Strategic Compass initiative, which has its origins in the Council Conclusions on security and defence from June 2019, aims to enhance and guide the implementation of the Level of Ambition arising out of the EU's Global Strategy. It is envisaged that the Strategic Compass will set out policy orientations and specific goals and objectives in areas such as crisis management, resilience, capability development and partnerships. EU Member States have, over the last number of years, worked together on its further development with the adoption of a finalised version of the Compass expected in March of this year.
The first draft of the Strategic Compass was presented by HRVP Borrell to Foreign and Defence Ministers in a joint session of the Foreign Affairs Council in Foreign Affairs and Defence format on 15th November 2021. The draft set out an analysis of the prevailing strategic environment, followed by proposals in the areas of crisis management, resilience, capability development and the EU’s work with key partners.
Ireland has, and continues to play an active role in efforts to develop the EU’s Strategic Compass. Once agreed by all Member States, this policy document will serve to guide the EU’s approach towards CSDP for the next decade, while also reflecting the increasingly complex security landscape faced by the EU. There are many proposals within the Strategic Compass which may lead to tangible future initiatives, but these remain under discussion by all Member States and are yet to be agreed.
Ireland has always engaged constructively in the development of the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP).
From Ireland’s perspective, we welcome the Strategic Compass as a means of setting out our shared strategic vision as a Union for the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) and of enhancing the role of the EU as a security provider that can contribute effectively to international peace and security.
In my view, the Strategic Compass also offers an important opportunity for the EU to project its values. In my discussions with other Member States, I have therefore suggested that the starting point for the Compass, should be the core values that underpin our approach to CSDP, including our collective commitment to effective multilateralism and the rules-based international order. In this regard, the exercise offers an excellent opportunity to strengthen the EU’s cooperation with the United Nations, including in the areas of peacekeeping and crisis management.
130. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Defence the number of non-commissioned members and commissioned officers of the Defence Forces that have retired or resigned in each of the past five years; the progress made to date in addressing the pay issues in the Defence Forces which has led to an exodus of members from the forces; when a decision will be made on the application by an organisation (details supplied) to affiliate with another organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3294/22]
View answerThere are many reasons why individuals leave the Defence Forces, which includes: retirement on reaching mandatory age limits, completion of service, individual personal circumstances, other career opportunities, ill health, failure to meet fitness and medical standards, etc.
Discharge figures, outlined in the table below, details the number of non-commissioned members and commissioned officers of the Defence Forces that have retired or resigned, in each of the past five years. These figures include General Service recruits, who left before completing their training.
|
Year |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
|
Officer |
76 |
57 |
70 |
35 |
31 |
|
Other Ranks |
666 |
683 |
812 |
601 |
643 |
|
Total |
742 |
740 |
882 |
636 |
674 |
The Defence Forces are paid increases in pay and allowances in line with Public Service pay agreements. The current public service pay agreement, ‘Building Momentum – A New Public Service Agreement 2021 – 2022’ provides for increases in pay and allowances to all public servants, including members of the Defence Forces. Most recently, a general round increase in annualised basic salary of 1% or €500, whichever was the greater, came into effect on 1st October 2021. In addition, fixed periodic pensionable allowances and allowances in the nature of pay were also increased by 1% on this date.
The agreement provides for further increases in 2022, i.e.:
- The equivalent of a 1% increase in annualised basic salaries to be used as a Sectoral Bargaining Fund, in accordance with Chapter 2 of the Agreement, on 1st February 2022.
- A general round increase in annualized basic salaries for all public servants of 1% or €500, whichever is greater on, 1st October 2022. Fixed periodic pensionable allowances and allowances in the nature of pay will also be increased by 1% on this date, as well.
In addition to the general round of pay increases, members of the Permanent Defence Force have also benefitted from the implementation of increases in Defence Forces allowances as recommended by the Public Service Pay Commission in 2019.
The Government remains fully committed to addressing pay and conditions in the Defence Forces. The Commission on the Defence Forces, which was established by Government, includes in its terms of reference, an examination of the evolution of all remuneration systems and structures, currently in place in the Defence Forces.
The Commission is due to submit their report shortly and I look forward to receiving the report in due course. The recommendations will then be fully considered and will inform future decisions regarding the Defence Forces
As provided in the Programme for Government, I will then consult with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform on the establishment of a permanent pay review body, reflecting the unique nature of military service in the context of the Pubic Service.
PDFORRA initiated legal proceedings in June 2020, in respect of their request to affiliate with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions. As this matter is now Sub-judice, it would not be appropriate to comment further.
131. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Defence the way Ireland’s defence spending as a share of national income compares with other neutral members of the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3818/22]
View answerExpenditure on the Defence Forces is managed through Defence Vote 36, with all operational outputs delivered from a single set of forces encompassing the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service. Defence Vote 36 provides funding for the pay and allowances of members of the Defence Forces, civilian employees and Departmental staff, ongoing Defence Forces operational and standing costs, the acquisition of military equipment along with the development of Defence Forces built infrastructure. It also provides funding for Civil Defence and the Irish Red Cross Society. Separately, Vote 35 provides for expenditure on Military Pensions.
On an annual basis, the Defence Group budget is determined within the overarching budgetary framework and approved by Dáil Eireann, having regard to the level of resources available and defence policy requirements. Capital funding allocations are also framed by the multi-annual National Development Plan.
International comparison of military expenditure are made difficult by the lack of publicly available data, and by the breadth of difference between nations in their international security and defence policies. In addition, there is no EU requirement for Ireland to achieve any specific percentage of GDP target in relation to Defence expenditure, nor is there any agreement at EU level in this regard. It should also be noted that the CSO, in introducing Modified Gross National Income (GNI*), have recognised that the figures for Ireland’s GDP are significantly impacted by the effects of globalisation.
As such, the international perspective is best used for context rather than comparison between militaries.
Against that background and using the latest data published by the European Defence Agency, details on defence spending as a % of GDP across EU Member States in 2019 indicates the level of Irish expenditure on defence, at 0.5% of GNI* , is lower than other neutral1 EU states such as Austria, Sweden, Finland, Malta, and Cyprus.
However, it is worth noting that within the resources allocated to Defence, the Defence Forces make a significant contribution to domestic security, provide a broad range of supports to the civil authorities, undertake roles such as Emergency Aeromedical Support (EAS) and fishery protection and are widely respected for their contribution to international peace and security. Ireland provides a level of support to the UN that, relative to the size of our Defence Forces, exceeds that of many countries. For this, we can be justifiably proud.
The Government remains committed to ensuring that the Defence Forces have sufficient funding to deliver assigned roles, both at home and overseas, in line with priorities as set out in the White Paper on Defence (2015) and the 2019 White Paper Update.
The Deputy will also be aware that the Government established an independent Commission on the Defence Forces in December 2020. The work of the Commission encompasses the consideration of appropriate military equipment capabilities, structures and staffing, and their report will inform decisions regarding the future development of the Defence Forces. The Commission are finalising their work with a view to completing their Report as soon as possible. The Commission's Report, when submitted, will be fully considered at that point.
1 defined as EU Non-NATO MS.
133. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Defence the action that is being taken to improve recruitment and retention of staff in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3796/22]
View answer134. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Defence the plans that are in place to strengthen the Naval Service in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3821/22]
View answer136. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Defence when the Naval Service will reach its approved establishment strength; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3820/22]
View answer142. Deputy Kieran O'Donnell asked the Minister for Defence if he will report on the work to improve recruitment and retention of personnel in the Defence Forces with a focus on presenting the option of a career in the Defence Forces to school leavers. [3917/22]
View answerAs at 31 December 2021, the strength of the PDF was 8,468 whole time equivalent personnel comprised of 6,841 Army, 876 Naval Service and 751 Air Corps. There is an establishment of 9,500 personnel for the Permanent Defence Force, 7,520 for the Army, 1,094 for the Naval Service, and 996 for the Air Corps.
While the Government remains committed to returning to and maintaining the agreed strength of the Permanent Defence Force across all three services at 9,500 personnel, there are a number of factors, some of which are hard to predict, that will impact on the timeframe within which this will be achieved. The on-going staffing challenges in the Defence Forces have been acknowledged and a range of measures have been taken to tackle them.
There is ongoing recruitment, which has resulted in 576 personnel being inducted in 2021. I launched a recruitment campaign specifically targeting potential Naval Service recruits in June 2021. 78 Naval Service personnel were inducted in 2021 comprised of 65 recruits, 8 cadets, 3 Direct Entry specialists and 2 re-joining enlisted personnel.
The 2022 Recruitment Plan is not yet finalised. However the Defence Forces remain committed to optimising the number of personnel inducted in 2022 and target General Service Recruits, Cadets, Air Corps Apprentice Aircraft Technicians and specialists for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service. The Defence Forces are actively engaged in providing career talks within schools and participate in relevant events such as career guidance counsellor conferences and transition year events.
The scope of direct entry competitions, along with their terms and conditions, continue to be expanded and revised to improve intakes, and the re-entry campaign for former members of the PDF continues.
In relation to retention, there has been significant progress on pay arising out of increases due from recent pay agreements, the most recent of which was a 1% increase on annualised salaries or €500, whichever was greater, on the 1st October 2021, with further increases to follow. There are now Service Commitment schemes active in both the Air Corps and the Naval Service, and a special Naval Service tax credit for sea-going personnel remains available in 2022.
In addition. in light of the particular challenges faced by the Defence Sector, the Government tasked the Public Service Pay Commission (PSPC) to undertake a comprehensive review and analysis of underlying difficulties in recruitment and retention in the Defence Forces. The reommendations of this report have been progressed through a series of speciifc projects.
I am confident that the pay benefits delivered by the Public Service pay agreements, in tandem with the implementation of the PSPC's recommendations will improve recruitment and retention challenges currently being experienced by the PDF.
Additionally, the Commission on the Defence Forces are finalising their work with a view to completing the report as soon as possible. The Commission's Report, when submitted, will be fully considered at that point and will inform future decisions regarding the Defence Forces.
My focus remains on retaining and restoring the Permanent Defence Forces to its full capacity.
135. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Defence the role played by Defence Forces personnel in the preservation of Ireland’s cybersecurity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3632/22]
View answerCyber security is an issue with very significant implications for governmental administration, for industry, for economic wellbeing and for the security and safety of citizens. It is a standing item on the agenda of the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning which I Chair where it is always a key topic of discussion.
The response to cyber threats is a whole-of-Government challenge, with the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications taking the lead role and with inputs in the security domain from An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces.
The National Cyber Security Centre, which is part of the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications, is the primary authority responsible for cyber security in the State, including incident response, cyber resilience and information provision. While the primary role of the Defence Forces with regard to Cyber Security relates to the defence and security of its own networks and systems, the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces are committed to participating, under the leadership of the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications, in the delivery of measures to improve the Cyber Security of the State. This is being done in line with the Programme for Government commitment to implement the National Cyber Security Strategy, recognizing the potential and important role of the Defence Forces.
Department officials and members of the Defence Forces are actively involved in the implementation of the National Cyber Security Strategy which, in conjunction with the White Paper on Defence 2015, will continue to inform our engagement in this critical area. This includes work to develop an updated, detailed risk assessment of the current vulnerability of all Critical National Infrastructure and services to cyber-attacks and the secondment of a member of the Defence Forces to the Cyber Security Centre of Excellence in Tallinn, Estonia. My Officials were also part of the steering group that developed a Baseline Cyber Security Standard for Government Departments and Agencies and they participate in the UK-Ireland Critical National Infrastructure Cyber Cooperation Working Group. My officials also actively participate on the Inter-Departmental Committee overseeing the overall implementation of the National Cyber Security Strategy.
In addition, the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces have a Memorandum of Understanding and a Service Level Agreement with the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications to provide support in the area of national cyber security. The overall aim is to improve the cyber security of the State through various types of assistance and support while also ensuring the operational requirements of the Defence Forces are prioritised, including the ongoing sharing of information and analyses of risks.
138. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 236 of 20 January 2022, his views on whether support for deeper EU-NATO cooperation including in regions outside the European Union is in conflict with a policy of military non-alignment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3919/22]
View answerIreland's traditional policy of military neutrality is characterised by non-membership of military alliances. Rather than interpreting neutrality as meaning that Ireland should stand aside, successive Irish governments have considered that neutrality enhances our reputation internationally and enables us to engage more effectively in our efforts to promote peace and development through the UN, the European Union and our own bilateral actions.
As I stated previously in respect of any deepening European Union and NATO links, it is my view that, as an active participant in NATO Partnership for Peace, Ireland should continue to welcome greater EU-NATO co-operation where it contributes to international peace and security and is focused on avoiding duplication of structures, systems and interoperability standards. This ensures better coherence and effectiveness on the ground in peace support and crisis management operations.
The international defence and security agenda is a busy and evolving one, with the threats and challenges we collectively face growing in recent years. In the context of addressing and indeed tackling these challenges, Ireland is a committed multilateralist and greatly values the contribution that we can, and do make, through our membership of the European Union and the United Nations.
139. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Defence if consideration is been given to using Galway Port along with Dún Uí Mhaoilíosa, An Rinn Mhór, Gaillimh as a base for the Naval Service in the west of Ireland in view of its central location on the west coast; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3293/22]
View answerThe Deputy may be interested to note that there is currently a programme of infrastructure works taking place at the Naval Base in Haulbowline with the objective of increasing the berthage capacity in the Dockyard Basin at Haulbowline to meet the requirements of the Naval Service fleet.
This programme of works includes:
- -Upgrading of Spencer Jetty- works at an advanced stage and due for completion in the coming weeks at an estimated cost of €2.7m;
- -Dredging of the Graving Dock- sampling and analysis is currently underway with the main dredging works expected following on from same at an estimated cost of €2.5m excl VAT;
- -Further development of the West Wall to facilitate additional berthage.
My Department has not been advised of any current operational requirements for the use of Galway Port as a base for the Naval Service. If future operational requirements of this nature arise, they will be considered.
140. Deputy Cathal Berry asked the Minister for Defence if the Defence Forces are in a position to contribute to operational measures with European Union partners in the event of Russian military aggression against Ukraine from a capability perspective given the outcomes of the most recent European Commission meeting on 16 December 21 at which the European Union expressed readiness to coordinate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3896/22]
View answerAt its meeting on 16 December 2021, the European Council adopted conclusions which stressed the urgent need for Russia to de-escalate tensions caused by the military build-up along its border with Ukraine. The Council also reiterated its full support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and noted that "any further military aggression against Ukraine will have massive consequences and severe cost in response, including restrictive measures coordinated with partners." The Council urged diplomatic efforts to achieve the full implementation of the Minsk Agreements.
Earlier this week, the Foreign Affairs Council, in which I participated, adopted conclusions noting that “the EU has accelerated the preparatory work” on a “wide array of sectoral and individual restrictive measures that would be adopted in coordination with partners” in the event of “any further military aggression by Russia against Ukraine”. These conclusions condemned Russia’s continued aggressive actions and threats against Ukraine and called on Russia to de-escalate. Ministers concurred that the EU should continue with diplomatic efforts to convince Russia to take the path of dialogue and tasked the High Representative to keep coordinating the EU position with key partners like the US, NATO and OSCE.
Ireland strongly supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, a position we have repeatedly reaffirmed at the UN Security Council meetings on Ukraine and in EU meetings, including at a meeting of EU Defence Ministers on 12 January and meetings of EU Foreign Ministers on 13/14 January and on 24 January.
The Deputy will be aware that the deployment of contingents of the Defence Force on overseas military operations must be approved under an appropriate resolution of the United Nations Security Council and is subject to Government and Dáil Éireann approval as appropriate. In considering any mission, the Government takes many factors into account including the capability requirements of the operation and the capacity of the Defence Forces to discharge the mandate of the operation. The Deputy will note the strong emphasis by the EU on diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the current situation and, as such, the issue in question does not arise at this time.
