Tuesday, 13 Jun 2023

Written Answers Nos. 221-240

Energy Production

Questions (221, 222, 223)

Ged Nash

Question:

221. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the costs to date of providing emergency power generation under the measures carried out as part of the consent granted to the CRU in June 2021 under Article 28(10) of the European Communities (internal Market in Electricity) Regulation and as part of the Development (Emergency Electricity Generation) Act 2022; if he will break these costs down by development, supply and build contract and connection costs; if he will outline how these costs compared to initial estimates and quotations received; what the initial anticipated budget for this provision was; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28224/23]

Ged Nash

Question:

222. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications what level of oversight his Department has in the provision of emergency power generation nationally; which body is in charge of managing the cost and delivery of these projects; how regularly this body reports on costs or costs overruns and progress in the delivery of this emergency power generation to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28225/23]

Ged Nash

Question:

223. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications what he expects the all-in costs to the Exchequer are in terms of (euros per MWHr) of emergency electricity generation vs new-build electricity generation contracted under the recent capacity market auctions conducted in 2022 and 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28226/23]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications (Deputy Eamon Ryan)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 221 to 223, inclusive, together.

The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) which has statutory responsibility to ensure security of supply, has the duty to monitor electricity supplies and to take sure measures as it considers necessary to protect the security of supply. It is assisted in its role by EirGrid, which is required to report to the CRU regarding security of electricity supply matters. EirGrid is also responsible for daily management of the electricity system.

The provision of Temporary Emergency Generation (TEG) under the CRU Security of Supply programme is carried out by EirGrid under direction from CRU further to Ministerial consent; thus EirGrid are responsible for managing the delivery of the TEG.

EirGrid provides updates to the Electricity Security of Supply programme on a regular basis with the Steering Group generally meeting on a monthly basis, and with working level meetings occurring more frequently. The TEG projects continue to be delivered and EirGrid report that they are expected to begin providing service across Winter '23/'24 on a phased basis.

The Commission for the Regulation of Utilities has advised that significant elements of the Temporary Emergency Generation projects remain under commercial negotiation at this time and therefore total cost certainty is not available.

Concerning Exchequer funding, following on from the EirGrid Act 2022, the Exchequer provided two supplementary estimates to enable delivery of these projects – €200m in July and €150m in October 2022. The Department authorised €151m of the amount allocated for release to EirGrid in line with contractual progress by end year 2022 and the balance was returned to the Exchequer. The Exchequer allocation does not equate to the total project costs. Further Exchequer funding is neither budgeted for nor at this time deemed to be required in 2023 to enable completion for these projects.

Question No. 222 answered with Question No. 221.

Question No. 223 answered with Question No. 221.

Renewable Energy Generation

Questions (224)

Neasa Hourigan

Question:

224. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to introduce supports towards the purchase and installation of solar photovoltaic panels for those in receipt of a State pension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28269/23]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

The Micro-generation Support Scheme (MSS) provides capital grants for Solar PV through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). Applications for the Domestic Solar PV grant scheme saw record levels in 2022, with over 10,000 applicants supported. While this level of interest indicates that the MSS is working well, its operation and effectiveness will be kept under review and adjustments made where necessary.

SEAI are also currently finalising a scheme on behalf of my Department, for providing Solar PV to vulnerable customers registered as being dependent on electrically powered assistive devices. This €20m scheme is targeted to provide direct support to over 3,000 vulnerable customers who may have limited opportunity to reduce their demand.

As part a mid-scheme review of the MSS, my department are also undertaking an assessment of the operation and effectiveness of the existing Solar PV schemes, with a view to also providing recommendations for targeted solar PV schemes to be considered in 2024.

In addtion to Solar PV related suports, there are also supports already in place for a wider cohort of vulnerable customers. As part of its statutory role, the CRU sets out a number of rules for suppliers to follow in the Electricity and Gas Suppliers Handbooks. These include special provisions for vulnerable customers around areas such as billing and disconnections. These include:

• Extended debt repayment periods

• Reduced debt burden on pay-as-you-go top-ups

• Better value for those on financial hardship meters

• Promotion of a Vulnerable Customer Register

A vulnerable customer is defined as a household customer who is critically dependent on electrically powered equipment, which includes, but is not limited to, life protecting devices, assistive technologies to support independent living and medical equipment. This category of vulnerable customers cannot be disconnected for non-payment at any time. Vulnerable customers are also defined as those who are particularly vulnerable to disconnection during the winter months for reasons of advanced age or physical, sensory, intellectual, or mental health. It is important that people who are in such a situation contact their energy supplier to register with them as a vulnerable customer. Their electricity supplier will then notify ESB Networks. ESBN maintains a Vulnerable Customer Register based on the information provided to them by suppliers.

National Broadband Plan

Questions (225)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

Question:

225. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the timeframe for the rollout of at least 30mb broadband speeds to a location (details supplied) in County Donegal as part of the national broadband plan; if such areas with poor or no broadband coverage shall be prioritised during the rollout phase as part of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28299/23]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications (Deputy Eamon Ryan)

The Question refers to a premises located in the AMBER area on the National Broadband Plan (NBP) High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website www.broadband.gov.ie  The AMBER area represents the area to be served by the network to be deployed under the NBP State led intervention.

I am advised by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) that, as of 02 June 2023, 147,159 premises are passed across 26 counties and available for immediate connection. 42,805 connections have already been made to the NBP high-speed broadband network.  NBI has advised that as of 02 June 2023, 3,120 premises in County Donegal are passed with a high-speed fibre broadband network and available for immediate connection with 1,075 premises connected.

Further details on specific areas within County Donegal can be monitored via https://nbi.ie/reps. A county update can be selected to provide the overall number of premises in the Intervention Area, the overall NBP investment in the county, the number of premises passed and connected to date and the status of each of the Deployment Areas with the anticipated date for connection over the lifetime of the project. NBI has a dedicated email address, [e-mail], which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries.   

The network rollout for the NBP is divided into 227 Deployment Areas (DAs) across the country.  These are typically an area of approximately 25km in radius and in total they cover 96% of Ireland’s landmass. The network is specifically designed based on the NBI network coming from the eir exchanges or the metropolitan area networks (MANs) which allows NBI to reach every premises as quickly as possible. Villages, townlands and counties are covered by a number of DAs which means there are differing timescales for the rollout across county areas.

The NBP network build, that started in 2020, is scheduled to be completed by 2027. NBI advise that the premises referred to in the question is at a status of ‘Survey Complete’.

Surveys are needed to establish the condition of existing poles and ducts, to ascertain whether repairs are needed. NBI’s contractors walk the fibre route to inspect infrastructure and gather detailed information on local conditions and this work is on-going. Further steps are then required prior to fibre build and connections including:

• Results from surveys are sent to NBI’s design teams who then develop detailed designs for each of the 227 Deployment Areas for submission to the Department for “Approval to Proceed” with fibre build;

• Repair/activities (“Make Ready”) carried out to ensure existing infrastructure is sufficiently prepared to pass the premises with fibre;

• Installation of and connection to electronic equipment in each Local Exchange building;

• Laying of the physical fibre along the poles and ducts;

• Fibre build quality checks, network testing and handover within NBI;

• Upload of specific fibre build details by premises to computer systems within NBI, enabling retail service providers to make connection orders visible on their respective systems which in turn allows premises’ owners to place orders.

• On completion of network build works customers can then place an order and request a connection to be scheduled with the retail service provider of choice. 

All of these activities must be completed before the premises can be designated premises passed status. 

Strategic Connection Points (SCPs) are a key element of the NBP providing high-speed broadband in every county in advance of the roll out of the fibre to the home network. As of 02 June 2023, 926 SCP sites  have been installed and the high-speed broadband service will be switched on in these locations through service provider contracts managed by the Department of Rural and Community Development for publicly accessible sites and the Department of Education for school BCPs. In County Donegal 12 BCP’s have been installed to date.  Further details can be found at nbi.ie/bcp-map/.

In County Donegal 40 schools have been installed to date for educational access. My Department continues to work with the Department of Education to prioritise schools with no high-speed broadband, within the Intervention Area. Further details of schools in scope are available on the NBI website at nbi.ie/primary-schools-list/.

Environmental Investigations

Questions (226)

Violet-Anne Wynne

Question:

226. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware of the fact that 2,000 fish were found dead at Ballymacraven river in North Clare recently; the cause of this kill; the actions taken to resolve the matter; what if any further action is envisioned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28381/23]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

A serious pollution incident, resulting in a significant fish kill, occurred in last month on the Ballymacraven river, a tributary of the Inagh river in west Clare that flows into the Atlantic at Lahinch. Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) responded quickly to having being alerted to initial reports of heavily discoloured water by a member of the public.

IFI immediately moved to an investigation phase including sampling related to the incident. IFI are currently awaiting results from the last of these samples. Interviews under caution have been carried out by IFI and a file and book of evidence is being prepared with a view to undertaking a prosecution. Neither I nor IFI can comment further at this time.

The Ballymacraven river is important spawning habitat for Atlantic salmon and for juvenile and adult European eel, both of which are highly vulnerable, whose stock status has generally been impacted by habitat loss, pollution and climate changes in recent years. This type of pollution incident which resulted in a very significant loss of freshwater fish is not acceptable and every effort is being made to bring those responsible for this fish kill to account.

IFI is extremely proactive in its efforts to prevent pollution incidents and over the period 2019-22, carried out some 113,000 environmental inspections. These inspections included agricultural, industrial, wastewater and water treatment locations, civil engineering and infrastructure projects, forestry plantations and habitats as part of preventative measures to avoid pollution incidents on our rivers and lakes.

Water Services

Questions (227)

Mick Barry

Question:

227. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he anticipates water shortages this summer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28499/23]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

I have no function in relation to this matter. Since 1 January 2014, Uisce Éireann has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels under section 7 of the Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013.

Electricity Generation

Questions (228)

Mick Barry

Question:

228. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on the proposed plans byESB to switch its power generation plant at Moneypoint in County Clare from coal to oil by 2025, and how this move will adversely affect the State's emissions instead of significantly reducing them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28500/23]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications (Deputy Eamon Ryan)

Successive Climate Action Plans have committed to phasing-out peat and coal fired electricity generation as one of many measures to reduce carbon emissions in Ireland. This is an important step in the programme to deliver up to 80% renewable generation by 2030. The Government is currently implementing a range of policies and projects to support this objective including expanding onshore wind, offshore wind and solar generation in Ireland and increasing electricity interconnections. The implementation of the sectoral emissions ceilings will be an important part of driving this transformation and will ensure sectoral and climate policy stay closely aligned throughout the transition.

In November 2021, the Government Statement on Security of Supply approved that: "it is appropriate that existing conventional electricity generation capacity, including existing coal, heavy fuel oil and biomass fired generation, should be retained until the new conventional electricity generation capacity is developed in order to ensure security of electricity supply.” The Commission for Regulation of Utilities currently has a programme of actions underway to implement this statement and ensure the security of our electricity supply over the coming winters. The Security of Supply Programme of actions contains a number of both demand and supply side mitigation measures to address the forecasted capacity gap in the electricity sector. These actions include:

• procurement of new, enduring capacity through a number of capacity auctions;

• procuring additional temporary generation;

• extending the availability of existing generation capacity through the retention of older units for security of supply;

• additional use of grid-scale batteries; and

• improved demand side measures.

The Government’s stated policy position is that the retention of existing generation is both a necessary and critical component of our energy security at this time as the state works to rapidly develop additional temporary and enduring electricity generating capacity. This policy is given effect through the CRU Security of Supply Programme.

The Minister and Department has no decision-making role in relation to the future of ESB power stations. However, from a policy perspective all efforts to reduce the carbon intensity or improve the efficiency of retained units is welcome and important, for example, fuel switching where it would reduce carbon intensity, increasing the scope operational efficiency or flexibility and imposing operational constraints to minimise run hours for last-resort units.

As Ireland makes a secure transition to majority renewable electricity, conventional capacity will only operate if and when needed, with renewable energy and efficient gas-fired power stations always being supplied to the market first. This approach will also act to support the dual objectives of minimising the impact on greenhouse gas emissions while ensuring continued security of electricity supply.

Telecommunications Services

Questions (229)

Ivana Bacik

Question:

229. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on the failure by the communications regulator to act in respect of contract changes by telephone providers (details supplied) which will allow for yearly fee increases in line with the consumer price index. [28513/23]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications (Deputy Eamon Ryan)

I have no role or statutory function in the matter raised by the Deputy.

The pricing levels set by telecommunication services providers, including for mobile phone and broadband services, is a matter for those relevant service providers operating in a fully liberalised market regulated by the Commission for Communication Regulation (ComReg). ComReg is statutorily independent in the exercise of its functions in accordance with Section 11 of the 2002 Act and is directly accountable for the performance of its functions to Committees of the Oireachtas in accordance with Section 34(2) of the same Act.

Issues of concern to a consumer should be raised directly with the service provider and following that, may be raised with ComReg who may be contacted via www.comreg.ie or their consumer care hotline at: [e-mail] or phone [phone].

Renewable Energy Generation

Questions (230)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

230. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the Government has looked at alternative fuels which are better for the environment (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28542/23]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

Matters pertaining to renewable transport fuels such as E10 are a matter for the Department of Transport. My Department understands that whilst the product or substance referenced by the Deputy is not supplied, on its own, at scale for the purposes of road transport, it is used as a blending component in producing the petrol that is placed on the market. Alkylate fuel is a fossil fuel and the objective of E10 is to increase the share of renewable fuels used in the transport sector.

Data Protection

Questions (231)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

231. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the security protections in place for remote workers within civil and public service organisations to safeguard against personal information of members of the public in audio, text and electronic form being inadvertently exposed to unauthorised third parties within the remote setting; if he can provide a copy of the remote working best practice guidelines for civil and public service workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28634/23]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications (Deputy Eamon Ryan)

The formal blended working policy for my Department was developed in line with the Civil Service Framework for Blended Working. That framework highlights that employers and employees should be aware that their obligations under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Data Protection Acts 1988 to 2018 are not confined to the employer’s work premises. They also apply when working remotely in any location.

As a result, applications for blended working in my Department considers the applicant’s ability to maintain compliance with data protection requirements.

Blended working arrangements are also supported by comprehensive training, guidance and communications. Staff are required to participate in OneLearning training which covers best practice for remote working. This needs to be completed before their blended working arrangements are formally approved. My Department has also rolled out mandatory training on Data Protection in a Blended Working Environment.

Foreign Policy

Questions (232)

Catherine Connolly

Question:

232. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence in relation to the proposed ‘Consultative Forum on International Security Policy’, the estimated cost of the forum; if he will provide a breakdown of these costs, in tabular form; if the forum is included in the supplementary/revised estimates for Vote 28; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27589/23]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Defence

In order to build a deeper understanding of the threats faced by the State, and the links to, and between, our foreign, security and defence policy, I have convened a Consultative Forum on International Security Policy. The Forum will take place in three different locations; on 22 June at University College Cork, on 23 June at the University of Galway, and on 26-27 June at Dublin Castle.

The Forum will be open, inclusive, and as the name suggests, consultative. It will involve a wide range of stakeholders, with participation from civilian and military experts and practitioners. Attendance at the Forum will consist of Irish and international participants with expertise and practical experience in the areas to be discussed, as well as members of the public. There will be capacity for up to 1,000 attendees over the four days that the Forum will meet. The Department of Defence and the Department of Foreign Affairs are consulting with academic, civil society, research and state agency partners to identify a wide range of speakers and participants, representing a breadth of experience and views from both home and abroad..

Costs related to the Forum will be split on an equal basis between the Department of Defence and the Department of Foreign Affairs. The contribution by the Department of Defence will be made from within existing resources in Vote 36 (Defence).

Expenditure related to the Forum will be in line with the Public Spending Code to ensure value-for-money.

At this stage of planning, it is not yet possible to give a final estimate of the costs. The figures presented in the table below therefore reflect a broad estimate of costs with contingencies built in, and are subject to revision.

Description	Estimate €
Technical / Audio Visual	35,000
Venue set-up	20,000
Catering	40,000
Flights	15,000
Accommodation	15,000
Subsistence and other vouched costs	5,000
Transport	4,000
Communications, stationary, printing and branding	40,000

An honorarium will be paid to the Chairperson of the Consultative Forum at a per diem rate sanctioned by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform.

Defence Forces

Questions (233)

Kathleen Funchion

Question:

233. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if refurbishment works on block C at Stephen's Barracks, Kilkenny have commenced; the estimated timeframe for these works to be completed; and the estimated costs for this refurbishment. [27622/23]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Defence

On foot of my visit to Stephen's Barracks earlier this year, I instructed my officials to prioritise the refurbishment works of Block C in Stephens Barracks, I am pleased to advise the Deputy that a contract was awarded to Marlhill Construction Services Ltd last week. Works will commence on site shortly and the project is expected to take 7 months to complete at an estimated cost of €0.5m.

Defence Forces

Questions (234)

Matt Carthy

Question:

234. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the additional funding that will be provided in the Defence Forces budget in order to realise Government commitments in respect of the Commission on the Defence Forces in both capital and current allocations for each of the years 2023 to 2028, inclusive, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27634/23]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Defence

In July 2022, the Government approved a move to Level of Ambition 2 (LOA2), as recommended by the Commission on the Defence Forces. As part of that decision the Government committed to increasing the Defence budget from €1.1 billion to €1.5 billion by 2028, as part of the annual budgetary process. This level of investment will allow for the required transformation and investment in recruitment, equipment and infrastructure that was identified by the Commission.

The annual Defence budget allocation is determined within the overarching budgetary framework, and approved by Dáil Eireann having regard to the level of resources available and defence policy requirements. It is within this context that the annual Defence budget, for 2024 and subsequent years, will be determined, with the estimates process for 2024 set to commence shortly.

For 2023, the total overall gross allocation provided to the Defence Group budget, as set out in Budget 2023, is €1.21 billion, comprising of over €915 million on the Defence Vote and over €294 million on the Army Pensions Vote. This significant allocation represents an overall increase of €93 million on 2022 and comprises of an increase of €35 million in the capital allocation and €58 million in the current allocation across the Vote Group.

The significant additional funding allocated in Budget 2023 across current and capital expenditure categories will further enable the Defence Forces to deliver effectively on all its key domestic and international responsibilities, enhance our national and international security capability and facilitate ongoing investment and transformation in the Defence Forces, as recommended by the Commission. It also highlights the positive commitment of Government to providing a strong financial platform for the transformation of the Defence Forces as we move towards the commencement of Estimates 2024 discussions over the coming months.

Departmental Communications

Questions (235)

Holly Cairns

Question:

235. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the percentage of social media videos posted on each of his Departmental social media accounts, or the social media accounts of public bodies and agencies that operate under his remit, that included closed captioning/subtitling between 1 May 2022 and 30 April 2023, inclusive; and the percentage of same that feature translations into Irish or another language; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27651/23]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Defence

I wish to advise the Deputy that the table below reflects the percentage of social media videos posted between 1 May 2022 and 30 April 2023 on the Department's social media accounts or the social media accounts of public bodies and agencies that operate under my remit. It also sets out the numbers of those which included closed captioning/subtitling and the percentage of same that feature translations into Irish or another language.

Twitter Account	EN Subs	GA/Other Subs	No Subs	Total Videos	% GA/Other Language Subs
DeptDefenceIRL	9	0	4	13	0
EmergencyIE	14	0	0	14	0
CivilDefenceIRL	0	0	2	2	0

Please note also that while the following is outside the strict conditions of your question, 14% of the Tweets issued by the Office of Emergency Planning in the said time period were issued in Irish.

Departmental Policies

Questions (236)

Holly Cairns

Question:

236. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if his Department, and public bodies and agencies under his remit, have an anti-racism policy which can be accessed by the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27669/23]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Defence

My Department does not have a specific anti-racism policy. However my Department adheres to Ireland’s National Action Plan Against Racism 2023-2027, a plan ensuring that everyone, regardless of colour, background or ethnicity, is respected as an individual and judged by the content of their character, not the colour of their skin or their appearance.

My Department operates in line with several different laws in Ireland that protect people from racism including the Employment Equality Acts 1998-2015 which prohibits discrimination in employment on a number of grounds including race.

The Civil Service Dignity at Work policy, which is strictly adhered to in my Department is in place to ensure that every member of staff has a right to work in an environment free of any form of bullying, harassment, or sexual harassment.

Recruitment for my Department is conducted by the Public Appointments Service (PAS). The Equality, Diversity & Inclusion strategy of PAS is aligned and embedded in their Corporate Strategy NUA 2020-2023.

The only State body under the aegis of my Department is the Army Pensions Board. The Army Pensions Board is an independent statutory body established under the Army Pensions Act 1927 to provide for the payment of pensions, allowances and gratuities in certain circumstances to members of the Defence Forces. The Army Pension Board does not have an anti-racism policy but business is conducted in line with government policies.

Defence Forces

Questions (237, 238)

Gary Gannon

Question:

237. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the current establishment of the Defence Forces, broken down by PDF and RDF, and divided by Corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27724/23]

Gary Gannon

Question:

238. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the plans in place to reach the current establishment level in each Corps in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27725/23]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Defence

I propose to take Questions Nos. 237 and 238 together.

The established strength and current strength of the Defence Forces as at 30 April 2023 is as follows:

-	Establishment	Total Strength
Army (WTE)	7,520	6,322
Air Corps (WTE)	886	711
Naval Service (WTE)	1,094	764
Army Reserve (Effective Strength)	3,869	1,382
Naval Service Reserve (Effective Strength)	200	77
First Line Reserve (FLR)	N/A	275

WTE - Whole Time Equivalent

Ongoing staffing challenges in the Defence Forces have been acknowledged. In that regard, my immediate focus is now on stabilising the numbers of personnel in the Defence Forces and thereafter increasing strength to meet the agreed level of ambition arising from the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces.

Question No. 238 answered with Question No. 237.

Defence Forces

Questions (239)

Gary Gannon

Question:

239. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the plans in place to commemorate the centenary of the Defence Forces on 1 October 2024. [27726/23]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Defence

As you will no doubt be aware, the Defence Organisation plays a highly significant and noteworthy role in many State led commemoration ceremonies.

Defence Forces personnel have been to the forefront of the State’s commemorations of the Decade of Centenaries, which began in 2016 with a large scale military parade throughout Dublin city.

2022 was arguably the most significant year for the Defence Forces marking as it did the centenary of 1922, the year in which the National Army was established. In January 2022 the Defence Forces took part in the State ceremony to mark the Centenary of the Handover of Dublin Castle and in August they contributed significantly to a ceremony in Beál na mBláth, Co. Cork to commemorate the centenary of the death of General Michael Collins. Throughout that year commemorations took place countrywide to mark the Centenary of the handover of Military Installations.

In September 2022, the Military Archives and the Military History of Ireland hosted a 2 day conference examining the Military aspects of the Irish Civil War and in April 2023 the book titled “The Irish Defence Forces 1922 – 2022” by Eoin Kinsella was launched.

Most recently a State Ceremony of reconciliation and remembrance of all those who lost their lives in the Irish Civil War took place on 28 May 2023 at the Garden of Remembrance. On the 30th of July this year there will be a ceremony to rededicate the National Army memorial in Glasnevin cemetery where a plaque will be unveiled to honour the civil war national army dead.

Concerning the commemoration of the centenary of the Defence Forces, a Commemoration Working Group was convened by the Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Seán Clancy in 2021 and this continues to put forward recommendations for Óglaigh na hÉireann.

While no plans are in place at this time to commemorate the centenary of the Defence Forces in 2024, I can say that the situation will be kept in review.

National Security

Questions (240)

Catherine Connolly

Question:

240. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of military ships registered to Russia, the United States and China whose presence has been notified to the relevant Irish authorities, or detected by same, in the Irish EEZ in each year since 2008, in tabular form. [27997/23]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Defence

It is important to note that Foreign military ships operating in the Irish EEZ are operating on the high seas and exercise freedom of navigation under international law. There is no requirement for foreign military ships to identify themselves to any Irish Authority whilst in the Irish EEZ.

The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) allows for all vessels, including military vessels, to transit through the territorial waters of coastal states when conducting innocent passage (as defined by art. 19 of UNCLOS). Any vessels transiting Irish waters must do so in compliance with international law and may be subject to sighting and observation by the Naval Service and Air Corps without their innocent passage being infringed.

As the Deputy will appreciate, it would not be appropriate to comment on specific operational matters, however enhanced maritime patrolling of the Irish Sea in the vicinity of priority offshore energy infrastructure commenced in 2022 and remains ongoing. This enhanced patrolling is being conducted by a mixture of air and naval platforms.