Written Answers Nos. 210-224
212. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a case (details supplied) will be expedited in view of the long delay and family separation issues pertaining to this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24042/22]
View answerWith regard to the specific case about which the Deputy has inquired, the Passport Service has issued a replacement Foreign Birth Registration Certificate to the applicant.
214. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the current position in relation to the provision of a passport in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24087/22]
View answerWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service is working with the Deputy's office to clarify the information supplied for the application. Once clarification is received the Passport Service will review the application.
215. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide an update on Ireland’s contributions to the unfolding war in Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23594/22]
View answerIn line with the commitment laid out in the 2020 Programme for Government and the provisions of the memorandum on the European Peace Facility (EPF), approved by the Irish government in March 2021, Ireland’s financial contribution supporting the Ukrainian Armed Forces via the EPF is directed towards providing non-lethal support such as food, medicine and personal protection equipment which have been specifically requested by the government of Ukraine. This equipment could include such items as body armour and helmets. A similar approach is followed by both Austria and Malta.
Ireland is providing its full contribution to the EPF assistance measures, Ireland’s contribution currently stands at €33m. It is expected that a further tranche of funding for Ukraine via the EPF will be proposed in the coming days, taking the total support provided by the EU to €2 billion. If this proposal is approved, Ireland's share will stand at approximately €44m.
Following a direct request from Ukraine, the Defence Forces has provided approximately 10 tonnes or 5,000 units of ready-to-eat meals and 200 units of body armour which have been shipped from Defence Forces stocks to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The contribution of the ready-to-eat meals and body armour is a specific element of the Government’s contribution through the European Peace Facility and is in addition to the further €20 million provided in humanitarian assistance to the UN and the Red Cross which is already being disbursed through UN and NGO partners in Ukraine and in neighbouring countries.
That also includes a dedicated Ukraine civil society fund of €2 million specifically to support NGOs responding to the crisis.
Ireland is also one of over 40 countries that referred the situation in Ukraine to the International Criminal Court (ICC). Ireland is providing a further €3 million to the ICC, which will assist with regard to all situations before the court.
The Health Service Executive has also provided medical supplies through the EU’s Civil Protection Mechanism and the Department of Foreign Affairs’ Rapid Response Register has been activated, making skilled humanitarians available at short notice to the UN system.
216. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Defence if he will outline Ireland’s current and potential future involvement in European Union defence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23597/22]
View answerThe European Union's common security and defence policy (CSDP) is a policy setting the EU’s framework in the field of defence and crisis management, including defence cooperation and coordination between Member States. Ireland is a strong proponent of the important role the EU can play in support of international peace and security and of the UN. It is essential, therefore, that Ireland remains fully engaged in all CSDP processes and contributes fully to the development of the policy in order that we can influence its evolution.
Ireland is engaged with a number of European Union defence-related initiatives and frameworks, including the European Defence Agency (EDA), the Coordinated Annual Review on Defence (CARD), the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO), the EU Satellite Centre (EU SatCen), the European Defence Fund (EDF) and the European Peace Facility (EPF).
The European Defence Agency was set up in 2004 during Ireland’s Presidency of the EU and Ireland joined the Agency in July of that year. The EDA is an Agency of the European Union, which supports Member States to develop a range of capabilities and capability standards to support CSDP, in particular the deployment of military capabilities in support of Crisis Management Tasks, as outlined in the Treaty on European Union. Ireland’s participation in the Agency provides access to research and information on developing and maintaining professional capabilities and research that we cannot self-generate. This is important in terms of Ireland's ability to participate in UN-mandated Peacekeeping Operations. Ireland contributes, on an annual basis, to the operational budget of the EDA.
In May 2017, the Council endorsed the modalities to establish the Coordinated Annual Review on Defence (CARD). This is a process which aims to create greater transparency by sharing Member States information on future defence policy, capability development, budgets and investment. All 27 EU Member States, including Ireland, participate and contribute to the CARD process.
Ireland joined the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) in 2017. The establishment of PESCO represents a further development in EU Cooperation in support of international peace and security under CSDP. Under PESCO, Member States come together in different groups to develop and make available additional capabilities and enablers for peacekeeping and crisis management operations. Ireland is currently participating in one PESCO project and is an observer on a further nine projects.
Ireland has participated in The EU Satellite Centre (EU SatCen) since 2007. The EU SatCen is an Agency working for the Common Security and Defence Policy of the European Union under the Political Supervision of the Political and Security Committee and the Operational Direction of the High Representative, which is governed by a Council Joint Action. In the international security and defence field, it handles sensitive and classified data to support CSDP military operations and civilian missions. The Department of Defence and the Department of Foreign Affairs contribute to the budget of the EU SatCen.
The European Defence Fund (EDF) is an industrial sectoral programme, providing funding for research and capability development, which supports the European Defence and Industrial Technology Base in delivering capabilities for Common Security Defence Policy operations. The fund is designed to foster innovation to address new security and defence challenges and allow economies of scale through greater industrial and research cooperation and enhancing the competitiveness of the EU defence industry. The EDF is funded within the Multi-annual Financial Framework which itself is funded directly by the Exchequer. Member State contributions to the EU Budget (Own Resources) are currently calculated annually by the EU Commission in line with the provisions outlined in Own Resources Decision (ORD) Regulation. As Ireland’s contributions go into the general pool of revenue that funds all EU budget expenditure, including the EDF, there is no defined cost to the Exchequer for the EDF.
Ireland contributes to the funding of common costs for EU military crisis management operations through the European Peace Facility (EPF). The EPF, established in March 2021, replaced the Athena Mechanism and the African Peace Facility. Under the EPF, the Department of Defence has responsibility for the financing of common costs relating to EU military operations under the EU's common security and defence policy (CSDP). The Department of Foreign Affairs has responsibility for the funding of African peace support operations, previously handled by the African Peace Facility, as well as Assistance Measures in order to provide assistance to individual countries and regional or sub-regional organisations. In 2020, the European Council agreed a €5bn financial ceiling for the EPF over the seven years of the 2021-2027 MFF. Actual spending of EPF funds require separate unanimous Council Decisions for each operation or assistance measure, such as the recent examples of the EPF Assistance Measures in support of Ukraine. An annual ceiling for each of the seven years is set out in the Council Decision establishing the EPF. Ireland’s contribution to EU Assistance Measures under the EPF is currently funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs.
The Strategic Compass, approved by foreign and defence ministers at the Foreign Affairs Council on 21 March 2022 and subsequently endorsed by EU Leaders at the European Council on 24-25 March, gives the European Union an ambitious plan of action for strengthening the EU's security and defence policy by 2030. The Strategic Compass is a means of setting out the EU's shared strategic vision for Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) and of enhancing the role of the EU in international peace and security. While discussions continue on the Implementation of the Strategic Compass, it should be noted that decision-making power in relation to its proposed actions remain a national competence. Ireland will continue to work with fellow Member States to ensure the ambitions of the document are realised.
217. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Defence the further assistance that Ireland can provide to aid the defence of the people of Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15514/22]
View answerThe European Peace Facility allows the EU to support the capabilities and resilience of the Ukrainian armed forces. In February, March and again in April of 2022, the Council of the European Union adopted assistance measures under the European Peace Facility (EPF). To date, a €1.5 billion package has been approved that will allow the EU to support the Ukrainian Armed Forces in defending the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the country, and to protect the civilian population against the ongoing Russian military aggression.
In line with the commitment laid out in the 2020 Programme for Government and the provisions of the memorandum on the European Peace Facility (EPF), approved by the Irish government in March 2021, Ireland’s financial contribution supporting the Ukrainian Armed Forces via the EPF is directed towards providing non-lethal support such as food, medicine and personal protection equipment which have been specifically requested by the government of Ukraine. This equipment could include such items as body armour and helmets. A similar approach is followed by both Austria and Malta.
Ireland is providing its full contribution to the EPF assistance measures, Ireland’s contribution currently stands at €33m. It is expected that a further tranche of funding for Ukraine via the EPF will be proposed in the coming days, potentially taking the total support provided by the EU to €2 billion. If this proposal is approved, Ireland's share will stand at approximately €44m.
A further €20 million has been provided in humanitarian assistance to the UN and the Red Cross which is already being disbursed through UN and NGO partners in Ukraine and in neighbouring countries, this includes a dedicated Ukraine civil society fund of €2 million specifically to support NGOs responding to the crisis.
In addition, Ireland is also providing a further €3 million to the to the International Criminal Court (ICC) to assist with regard to all situations before the court.
Ireland is resolute in our support to Ukraine and its people. The Department of Defence, the Defence Forces and the Civil Defence will continue to work across Government to provide appropriate supports where possible in response to the Ukrainian crisis.
218. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence if the recommendations of the recent review of the Defence Forces will be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24051/22]
View answerThe Commission on the Defence Forces was established on foot of a commitment in the Programme for Government and the Government decision in December 2020 which also agreed its terms of reference and membership. The report was published on the 9th February 2022.
The Commission undertook a significant body of work encompassing their wide-ranging terms of reference. The report contains 69 main recommendations with a large number of sub recommendations. The Commission's terms of reference included the consideration of appropriate capabilities, structures and staffing for the Army, the Air Corps, the Naval Service.
The Commission's report proposes significant changes for the Defence Forces, including to Defence Forces culture, high-level command and control structures, and for the level of Defence provision in Ireland. Clearly, there are matters that will require careful consideration and in some critical aspects inter-departmental discussion. This includes the level of resourcing that may be allocated to Defence, legislative implications and the governance framework that will be required to underpin any changes the Government approve on foot of the Commission's report.
The report is being fully considered, in consultation with Ministerial colleagues and other stakeholders. The intent is that following relevant consideration, and before the summer recess, I will revert to Government with a proposed response to the Commission's recommendations and a high-level action plan.
As outlined previously, I will not engage in speculative discussion regarding the recommendations in the Commission’s Report or the outcome of the deliberative process.
219. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence if the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps potential will be brought up-to-date in terms of equipment and mobility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24052/22]
View answer221. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which it is intended to invest in and expand the capabilities of the Naval Service having particular regard to the recent review of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24054/22]
View answer228. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence when aircraft and defence equipment available to the Air Corps will be brought up-to-date on par with that of their colleagues in neutral aligned and non-aligned countries and in order to ensure a regular and rapid coastal surveillance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24061/22]
View answer231. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which all modern equipment available to similar Defence Forces abroad is made available to the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps here with a view to increased ability to participate in any emergency affecting Ireland’s security; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24064/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 219, 221, 228 and 231 together.
My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service, is maintained to the greatest extent possible so as to enable the Defence Forces to carry out their roles as assigned by Government, including overseas deployments.
In this context, the principal aim over the period of the White Paper is to replace and upgrade, as required, capabilities in order to retain a flexible response for a wide range of operational requirements at home and overseas. The Department of Defence has received a capital allocation under the National Development Plan of €566m over the 2022-2025 timeframe. Within that capital allocation the Defence annual capital budget for 2022 is €141m. This level of capital funding will allow the Defence Organisation to undertake a programme of sustained equipment replacement and infrastructural development across the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service as identified and prioritised in the Defence White Paper and builds on the significant investment programme over recent years.
The Equipment Development Plan (EDP) published in June 2020, completed through extensive joint civil-military work, provides a comprehensive list of planned equipment projects which will be progressed over five years. This plan builds on the intentions set out in the White Paper in relation to equipment acquisition, modernisation and upgrade and has been developed to ensure that our Defence Forces have the major equipment platforms, ancillary equipment and force protection equipment to carry out their important roles both at home and overseas. The current position regarding the major equipment platform projects is as follows.
The Equipment Planning process recognises the need to maintain and upgrade military capabilities having regard to emerging operational requirements and changes in technology and this is an ongoing process.
The mid-life upgrade of the Army’s fleet of 80 Mowag Piranha III armoured personnel carrier vehicles is well underway and is due to be completed by 2023. In addition, orders for an additional 30 Armoured Utility Vehicles (AUVs) are nearing completion with the final 4 due for delivery during 2022. These vehicles will more than double the existing fleet and will provide a level of protected mobility between the levels of soft-skinned light transport and heavier armoured vehicles.
There is also continuous investment in the non-armoured vehicle fleet. In 2019, a contract was signed with Toyota Ireland for the replacement of the Army's fleet of 3/4 tonne 4X4 vehicles. To date 210 vehicles have been delivered with the remaining 70 expected in 2022. In March 2020, a tender process was completed for the supply of one hundred and twenty (120) new 4X4 Troop Carrying Vehicles, with 60 delivered to date. A further 30 are scheduled to be delivered in 2022 and all 120 vehicles concluding by 2023. A scheduled vehicle replacement programme is also currently underway for the replacement of 22 heavy logistics vehicles between 2022 and 2025.
In addition to the above mentioned major capital programmes, the entire Defence Forces fleet undergoes ongoing review and replacement as required. As a result, an additional 120 vehicles of varying types will be delivered in 2022.
In relation to air-based capability, my immediate priorities have been the acquisition of three Pilatus PC-12 aircraft in the Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) role and to acquire two Airbus C295 maritime patrol aircraft. An additional PC-12 was also acquired in 2020 in response to the Covid 19 situation.
The White Paper provides for the replacement of the two CASA 235 maritime patrol aircraft with consideration to be given to their replacement with larger more capable aircraft which would enhance maritime surveillance and provide a greater degree of utility for transport and cargo carrying tasks. A contract for the supply of two C295 Maritime Patrol Aircraft was signed with Airbus Defence and Space in December 2019, with delivery of the aircraft expected in 2023. Some €276 million, including VAT, has been committed to the acquisition of all of these enhanced capabilities, with delivery of the aircraft expected in 2023.
The Naval Service Vessel Renewal and Replacement Programme is ongoing, this programme includes radar and other equipment upgrades along with the replacement of Naval Service Reserve motor launches. The programme of works for the midlife refit and upgrade of LÉ Róisín has been completed, while works are ongoing on LÉ Niamh. Marine Advisors have been appointed to support the procurement of multi-role vessel to replace the flagship, LÉ Eithne, with work underway that will inform a public tender competition in due course. Two Inshore Patrol Vessels have been purchased from the New Zealand Government to replace LÉ Orla and LÉ Ciara, it is expected these vessels will be transported to Ireland in 2023 following the completion of a programme of works.
The examples given, whilst not exhaustive, demonstrate my commitment to update and upgrade the Defence Forces equipment and capability, within the financial envelope available.
The Deputy will 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.
I am satisfied that the Defence Forces have a modern and effective range of equipment which is line with best international standards, to enable them to meet operational requirements.
220. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence when the numerical strength of the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps will be brought up to recommended levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24053/22]
View answer222. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the degree to which it is intended to use the recent review of the Defence Forces as a template to bring strength and capability of the Air Corps up to an acceptable level with a view to ensuring the level of competence required for neutral country if attacked; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24055/22]
View answer223. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence when it is expected to bring the strength of the Defence Forces up to the recommended level; if the upgrading of training and facilities are likely to be included; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24056/22]
View answer230. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence when it is expected that the strength of the Defence Forces will meet the levels recommended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24063/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 220, 222, 223 and 230 together.
As the Deputy is aware the Permanent Defence Force is currently under strength by just over 1000 personnel.
The report of the Commission on the Defence Forces has made it clear that the level of ambition (LOA) for the Defence Forces must be elevated beyond that at which it is operating at the moment.
The report outlines three levels of ambition. LOA 1 is essentially proceeding as we are at present and trying to move back to a full establishment figure of 9,500. The Commission has concluded that this would leave the Defence Forces unable to mount a credible defence of the State. LOA 2 would address specific priority gaps to improve on-island and overseas capabilities. LOA 3, would bring Ireland in line with other small neutral European countries in terms of spend. I am on the record as saying that LOA 2 is the minimum that we should aim for. This level of ambition will require an additional 2000 personnel beyond the establishment figure of 9,500 and an increase in the defence budget of some 50%. The Defence Forces are responsible for recruitment and I have requested them to examine their recruitment practices and structures to facilitate this increase in numbers.
This Commission report also includes, inter alia, consideration of issues relating to training, facilities, recruitment and retention and, following relevant consultation, I will revert to Government with a proposed response to the Commission's recommendations and a high-level action plan, which will set out proposed timelines and oversight arrangements for its implementation.
In the interim, my focus remains on restoring all branches of the Defence Forces to the current agreed strength and in that context, there are a number of initiatives which are presently being implemented to counter ongoing staffing challenges.
224. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which the Defence Forces here will receive training comparable to other Defence Forces throughout Europe in respect of non-aligned neutral and aligned countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24057/22]
View answerThe 2015 White Paper on Defence frames the delivery of training and education in the Defence Forces as one of the most important outputs of the organisation. Training and Education remain central to capability development and are key elements of the five pillars of the Defence Capability Framework. Through the provision of military capability, the Defence Forces achieves its mission to defend Ireland and its assigned interests internationally.
The primary focus of the Defence Forces, when not engaged on operations, is training and preparation. The appropriate training for all Defence Forces Formations and Units is based on conventional military doctrine to prepare them for the roles laid down by Government. The Defence Forces deliver military programmes and modules of training meeting national and international standards encompassing both academic and military best practice. The Defence Forces also engage with external national and international educational institutions, both military and civilian, to ensure that Defence Forces training is in line with international best practice.
Adherence to such international best practice ensures the levels of modernisation, transformation and interoperability required for the Defence Forces to deploy successfully on peacekeeping missions. NATO has become the standard-setting organisation for modern military forces and NATO standards include a wide-ranging set of specifications including detailed training standards and operational procedures. The continued participation by Ireland in NATO’s Partnership For Peace mechanism ensures that the Defence Forces have the necessary interoperable capabilities to participate in modern demanding peacekeeping operations alongside other European Military Forces, including those from like-minded states.
