Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 May 2022
24. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Defence if the Russian invasion of Ukraine will lead to any further re-assessment of Ireland’s defence capability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23504/22]
View answer58. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Defence if the recommendation to increase defence spending by the Commission on the Defence Forces has come under further review in the context of war in Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23719/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 24 and 58 together.
Ireland's defence policy is set out in the White Paper on Defence (2015) and the White Paper Update (2019). Both the White Paper and the White Paper Update were based on security environment assessments carried out by interdepartmental groups. These threat assessments indicated a low probability of a conventional military attack on the state, and also point to the fact that security challenges are such that no single country can deal with these alone. The White Paper outlines the importance of the UN and EU in collective security and commits Ireland to fully supporting UN mandated peace support operations.
Equipment priorities for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service are considered in the context of the lifetime of the White Paper on Defence as part of the capability development and Equipment Development Planning (EDP) process. The Equipment Development Plan (EDP) published in June 2020 provides a comprehensive list of planned equipment projects, this rolling five year plan is iterative and will encompass new equipment projects as it develops.
The White Paper on Defence 2015 sets out an ambitious programme of capital investment including the mid-life refit and upgrade of the P50 class of vessels, and the replacement of the flagship LÉ Eithne with a multi-role vessel (MRV), the replacement of the Cessnas and Casa 235 fleets and the midlife upgrade of the Army's fleet of 80 Mowag Piranha III armoured personnel carrier vehicles.
The Cessnas have now been replaced by three Pilatus PC-12 aircraft in the Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) role providing a substantially increased capability with their state of the art surveillance technology. Two C295 Maritime Patrol Aircraft to replace the two Casa 235s are due to be delivered in 2023. As well as the upgrade to the Armoured personnel carriers 30 Armoured Utility Vehicles and 220 softskin vehicles are due for delivery in 2022.
The report of the Commission on the Defence Forces was published in February 2022. It is a substantial report running to over 180 pages and 69 main recommendations many of which have sub recommendations. It recommends significant changes for the Defence Forces and Defence provision in Ireland. It covers high level Defence Forces structures, defence capabilities, organisation, culture and human resources, the Reserve Defence Force and funding.
The Commission's report is being fully considered in the context of the current security environment, in consultation with Ministerial colleagues and other stakeholders. The intent is to revert to Government with a proposed response and a high-level action plan in advance of the summer recess.
The report of the Commission on the Defence Forces and the current events in Ukraine are prompting an open debate and consideration of our defence requirements. I fully accept there is an ongoing requirement to consider whether the capabilities we maintain are appropriate, having regard to the security environment, the roles that we wish the Defence Forces to undertake, and likely risks.
