Tuesday, 20 Jun 2023

Written Answers Nos. 101-120

Ukraine War

Questions (102)

Richard Bruton

Question:

102. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will outline the implications of the ongoing war in Ukraine for Ireland’s security and defence. [29560/23]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Defence

The European Security and Defence landscape has been redefined by Russia’s appalling and illegal military aggression against Ukraine over the past eighteen months, with the focus very much on the continued provision of EU support to Ukraine and bolstering the defence capabilities of the EU, while acknowledging the specific character of the security and defence policy of certain Member States.

Shortly after the invasion, EU Leaders adopted the Strategic Compass, which is aimed at ensuring that the EU becomes a stronger and more capable actor in security and defence, both to protect the security of its citizens and to act in crisis situations that affect the EU’s values and interests.

The implications of the ongoing war are reflected in a significant increase in investment in defence expenditure across Europe as well as the decision by Finland and Sweden to join NATO. At home, the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces and the current events in Ukraine are prompting an open debate and consideration of our own defence requirements.

Russia’s illegal and immoral invasion of Ukraine has also caused structural changes in the market in which the Defence Industry operates contributing to significantly increased global demand for specific defence products, notably ammunition and missiles, resulting in a discrepancy between production capacity and demand. The timely availability in sufficient volumes of these products is critical for the EU’s security and for its continuous efforts to support Ukraine. Ireland is no different in this respect.

The war on Ukraine has also seen the unprecedented mobilisation of the European Peace Facility (EPF). Ireland has been very supportive of the military assistance provided to the Ukrainian Armed Forces under the European Peace Facility. Our total expected contribution to direct Assistance Measures under the EPF to further support the UAF currently stands at approximately €122 million exclusively for non-lethal support. In line with the commitments in our Programme for Government, Ireland’s contribution is directed exclusively toward non-lethal support.

From the outset, Ireland was a strong supporter of the establishment of an EU Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine and following the Government approval to participate earlier this year, the Defence Forces have been engaged in the identification of suitable training modules that the Defence Forces could deliver, responding to the identified needs of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Members of the Defence Forces contributed to the delivery of a course in Demining and Clearance to the UAF in Cyprus last month and the Defence Forces are due to contribute to the delivery of a Combat Life Saver (CLS) course in Germany later this month.

Meanwhile, the Defence Forces and the Department of Defence are continuing to consider other training modules to which the DF may be in a position to contribute. It is likely that further training modules will be identified and delivered in the coming months.

Last year, and against the backdrop of developments in Ukraine, Government approval was given for a move to 'Level of Ambition 2' (LOA2), as set out in the capability framework devised by the Commission on the Defence Forces. This will result in the Defence budget rising from €1.1 billion to €1.5 billion, in 2022 prices, by 2028, the largest increase in Defence funding in the history of the State. This will allow for the required substantial transformation and investment in recruitment and equipment that were identified by the Commission.

There is an ongoing requirement to consider whether the capabilities we maintain are appropriate, having regard to the security environment particularly now given the ongoing war in Ukraine. The heightened risk to undersea cables in the Irish Exclusive Economic Zone for example is one area that has come under close scrutiny since the outbreak of war in Europe. This consideration of military capabilities and an updated security environment assessment will form part of the Strategic Defence Review which has been commenced by my Department.

Housing Provision

Questions (103)

Catherine Connolly

Question:

103. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the engagement he or his Department has had with the Land Development Agency and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage with regard to the identification (details supplied) by the Land Development Agency of Renmore Barracks in Galway as a potential site for housing development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29520/23]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Defence

Upon publication of the LDA report referred to by the Deputy, my Department attended a meeting of the Inter Department Sub-Group on State Lands and Property Group earlier this year. The purpose of the briefing was to allow the LDA explain the background to their statutory report and also to facilitate discussions in relation to a number of existing and former military installations, including Renmore Barracks, assessed by them.

For the avoidance of any doubt it is not my intention that this active military installation will be relocated and no decision on same has been made to that effect. Given the complexity and existing constraints of the site as identified by the LDA, my Department will be available to discuss further any long term requirements with the LDA and the Department of Housing as and when required.

Defence Forces

Questions (104, 105, 118)

Christopher O'Sullivan

Question:

104. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the extent to which the Defence Forces monitor the presence of naval vessels from other countries in Ireland's waters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28118/23]

Alan Dillon

Question:

105. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will provide an update on Ireland’s submarine cables; if they have been put at risk in recent months by hostile states travelling through Irish waters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29572/23]

Aindrias Moynihan

Question:

118. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence what measures have been implemented to increase the monitoring of Irish waters and Irish airspace from Russian vessels and aircraft since the start of the Ukrainian war; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29533/23]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Defence

I propose to take Questions Nos. 104, 105 and 118 together.

The Naval Service is the State's principal sea-going agency tasked with a variety of defence and other roles.

While the main daily tasking of the Naval Service is to provide a fishery protection service in accordance with our obligations as a member of the EU, it also carries out a number of other non-fishery related tasks including contraband interdiction duties, search and rescue, and maritime defence and security operations (MDSO). As such any Naval Service patrol should be viewed as a multifaceted activity.

These patrols are augmented by the Air Corps Maritime Patrol Squadron in patrolling the Irish Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) using the two CASA CN 235 maritime patrol aircraft which are equipped with state-of-the-art surveillance and communication equipment.

The Naval Service and the Air Corps currently patrol the entire 200 mile limit and periodically patrol beyond these limits. These patrols are carried out on a regular and frequent basis and are directed to all areas of Irish waters as necessary including coastal areas. These maritime patrols are multi-tasked in that they undertake sea fishery protection, general surveillance, security and other duties such as search and rescue, diving operations and drugs interdiction.

In addition, the Fisheries Monitoring Centre (FMC) located at Naval Base Haulbowline carries out monitoring and surveillance of all vessels equipped with a Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) that are operating in and adjacent to the Irish EEZ.

Following an extraordinary EU Energy Council meeting in October 2022 to discuss the EU’s energy security in response to the attacks on Nordstream 1 and 2, the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications sought support from my Department in relation to additional measures that could be put in place by the Defence Forces to ensure that critical off-shore infrastructure including subsea cables are protected.

My officials and the Defence Forces continue to engage with the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications in relation to the protection of Ireland’s offshore infrastructure. While the Defence Forces have limited sub-sea capabilities, enhanced maritime patrolling of the Irish Sea in the vicinity of priority offshore infrastructure is taking place by a mixture of air and naval platforms.

The Defence Forces are aware of a number foreign military vessels which have passed through the Irish Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in recent months. It is not unusual for naval ships or civilian vessels of other States to carry out training exercises within this area or to passage through this area.

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. Infringement of these obligations under international law would be a serious matter and would be addressed by the Government accordingly.

With regard to monitoring of Irish airspace, the Air Corps is not currently equipped to monitor aircraft overflying Irish airspace, military or otherwise. However, on a routine basis the Air Corps monitors and communicates with foreign military aircraft where such aircraft are flying in the airspace in the vicinity of Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel, where air traffic control is provided by the Defence Forces.

AirNav Ireland (formerly part of the IAA) exercises Air Traffic Control responsibilities for both sovereign airspace and also airspace over the high seas, largely off the western seaboard. All air traffic, both civil and military, is monitored and controlled by AirNav Ireland in respect of this airspace and in line with ICAO rules it is normal practice for them to be informed by the relevant State of any military flights operating in Irish controlled airspace.

The Deputy may wish to note that the development of a primary radar capability was one of the recommendations made in the report of the Commission of the Defence Forces last year, and in response to that, a project team, comprising senior civil and military personnel, has commenced work on planning for military radar capabilities. This includes ground based, maritime and primary radar systems. Delivery of primary radar is extremely complex and will take some time to deliver. However, delivery has been prioritised by Government and this year’s increased capital allocation for Defence includes funding to explore the development of a primary radar capability.

Question No. 105 answered with Question No. 104.

Defence Forces

Questions (106)

Cathal Berry

Question:

106. Deputy Cathal Berry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will outline, in tabular form, the numbers of RDF recruited and discharged from both the Army Reserve and the Naval Reserve, since 1 January 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29273/23]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Defence

The Reserve Defence Force (RDF) is comprised of the First Line Reserve (FLR), the Army Reserve (AR) and the Naval Service Reserve (NSR). The Government remains absolutely committed to the advancement of the RDF and, in 2022, a recruitment drive was advertised across a number of media channels. Recruit Liaison Officers across the Reserve conducted local recruitment to attract applicants for this campaign.

In 2022, to the end of year, 90 RDF recruits were inducted into the Defence Forces and the processing of eligible applicants is continuing with 10 further recruits being inducted so far this year as of 12 June 2023. All of these recruits have been in the Army Reserve.

RDF Induction Figures	Army	Naval Service
01/01/2022-31/12/2022	90	0
01/01/2023-12/06/2023	10	0
Total	100	0

Regarding the number of discharges in 2022, a total of 62 members of personnel discharged from the Army Reserve while 20 discharged from the Naval Service Reserve. As of 12 June 2023, a further 41 have discharged from the Army Reserve so far this year while 4 have discharged from the Naval Service Reserve.

RDF Discharge Figures	Army	Naval Service
01/01/2022-31/12/2022	62	20
01/01/2023 - 12/06/2023	41	4
Total	103	24

The strength of the RDF stands as follows for May 2023: 1,351 members in the Army Reserve, 79 in the Naval Service Reserve (total of 1,430 between AR and NSR) and 276 members of the First Line Reserve.

The structure and strength of the RDF is a key focus of the Office of Reserve Affairs (ORA) which was established recently in line with a recommendation from the Commission on the Defence Forces Report (CODF). The ORA’s initial focus is on the development of a Regeneration Plan for the revitalisation of the Reserve, which is in train.

In terms of the strength and structure of the RDF, one of the recommendations from the Report is to increase the future RDF establishment strength to include at a minimum, an Air Force Reserve of 200, and a Navy Reserve of 400.

I would like to assure the Deputy that it is my aim, and that of the Chief of Staff, to ensure that the regeneration of the RDF remains a key goal in 2023 and beyond.

Question No. 107 answered with Question No. 72.

Defence Forces

Questions (108)

Matt Carthy

Question:

108. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence his proposals to support members of the Defence Forces transition to civilian life upon retirement. [29529/23]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Defence

As a serving member of the Defence Forces approaches retirement, either on age grounds or voluntarily, there are a range of supports made available to them by the Defence Forces.

Transition to Civilian Life courses are conducted by Defence Forces Personnel Support Service teams throughout the year. These courses are aimed at personnel who are retiring on age grounds or who are simply considering a change of career. The course was formally called the "Pre-Retirement" training course. The name was changed acknowledging that personnel are not always retiring when they leave the military.

These courses are of two to three days in duration and are conducted across the organisation. Each serving member is encouraged to undergo a Transition to Civilian Life course at least once during their career and within three years of leaving the Defence Forces. As part of the course, personnel receive advice and guidance on all aspects of retirement. This includes education on 'what to expect' from leaving the Defence Forces, which covers change, relationships, financial matters, health, and time management. Personnel also receive information about how others have dealt successfully with these life changes. The purpose of these courses is to enable personnel to anticipate changes in their own lives and to ease the transition to civilian life.

Additionally, I am informed by the military authorities that the following programmes, conducted by the Education and Training Boards, have been made available to Defence Forces personnel, facilitated by the Defence Forces Personnel Support Service:

• Skills for Work programme;

• Recognition of Prior Learning programme.

Personnel may also avail of assistance from the Personnel Support Service and Occupational Social Workers as may be required. Advice and guidance is available on a confidential one-to-one basis as required from Personnel Support Service teams on all issues related to leaving the Defence Forces, including pensions and finance, health, psychosocial issues and preparation for career change.

Question No. 109 answered with Question No. 72.

Defence Forces

Questions (110)

Cathal Berry

Question:

110. Deputy Cathal Berry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence how many of the currently unoccupied married quarters/family homes in the Defence Estate he expects to have refurbished and reoccupied by the end of 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29270/23]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Defence

I have instructed the Defence Forces to carry out an assessment of the vacant housing stock to ascertain their suitability to a return to modern single living in accommodation usage for serving personnel. I am advised that my officials together with the Defence Forces are currently developing proposals to inform the Request for Tenders to commence the procurement process for same. Accordingly , I am not currently in a position to state when such premises, if found suitable, will be available.

Question No. 111 answered with Question No. 93.

Question No. 112 answered with Question No. 90.

Defence Forces

Questions (113)

Cathal Berry

Question:

113. Deputy Cathal Berry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the reason the military medicine scheme for military medical officers has been so poorly resourced that the scheme appears to no longer be viable; if he will engage with the representative associations on improved terms and conditions for improved direct-entry medical officers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29274/23]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Defence

The Military Medicine Training Scheme was adopted by the Defence Forces in 2015 as a means of addressing ongoing difficulties with the recruitment and retention of Medical Officers. The programme is integrated with the Trinity College Dublin/Health Service Executive GP training scheme. There are presently three (3) trainee doctors taking part in the Scheme.

I am advised that the Scheme has been adequately resourced since its inception. Intake for new applicants has been paused since 2021 in order to finalise a number of administrative issues and to allow for a joint civil-military review of the Scheme to be conducted. This review process concluded in 2022 and recommended the Scheme's continuation, pending the agreement of these outstanding issues.

I am informed that a Framework Agreement governing the Scheme has recently been agreed and signed following extensive engagement between my Department, the Irish College of General Practitioners, and the Health Service Executive.

This Framework Agreement covers the period 2023 to 2028, and is expected to ensure the viability of the Scheme in the coming years. In the meantime, Medical Officers continue to be recruited via the Direct Entry stream, as required.

The scheme of Conciliation and Arbitration (C&A) for members of the Permanent Defence Force provides a formal mechanism for the determination of all claims and proposals from the Permanent Defence Force Representative Associations, relating to remuneration and conditions of service and having regard to the provisions of public sector pay agreements.

Officials from my Department continue to work with the Representative Associations in a positive and collaborative process within the C&A Scheme to resolve issues. There is also ongoing engagement on a regular basis between the Official side and the Representative side on a range of items which are processed through C&A.

Defence Forces

Questions (114)

Pauline Tully

Question:

114. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he has plans to review the decision to withdraw Irish troops from the UNDOF Mission to the Golan Heights in Syria to allow participation in an EU Battlegroup, as this undermines our neutrality and our sterling role and record as a peacekeeping force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29574/23]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Defence

There are no plans to review the decision to withdraw the Defence Forces' Infantry Company from UNDOF next year and planning for their withdrawal is progressing. Neither the decision to withdraw from this mission nor the decision to participate in the EU Battlegroup have any implications for Ireland's policy of military neutrality.

At the time of the recent Government Decision that the Defence Forces should join the EU Battlegroup 2024/2025, the Government was advised that a further assessment would be undertaken of the sustainability of the Defence Forces' overseas commitments.

Following the conclusion of this assessment and on the basis of the military advice available to me as well as formal engagement with the United Nations, I decided to withdraw the Infantry Group personnel from UNDOF with effect from April 2024. At this stage, it is likely that the Defence Forces will continue to occupy a small number of staff officer posts.

Notwithstanding the decision to withdraw the Infantry Group from UNDOF, the Defence Forces will continue to have a significant presence serving overseas in the pursuit of peace, notably with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, where over 320 Defence Forces personnel will continue to serve.

The decision to withdraw personnel from the UNDOF mission has been taken to allow the Defence Forces to undertake a process of consolidation with regard to their overseas commitments and to prepare for future peace-keeping missions as well as to ensure that the Defence Forces have the capacity available to fulfil their commitment to the EU Battlegroup 2024/2025.

Participation in a Battlegroup has no effect on our traditional policy of military neutrality, which is characterised by non-participation in military alliances or common or mutual defence arrangements.

The decision to participate in an EU Battlegroup does not presume any further decision in relation to participation in an actual Battlegroup operation. Any such decision is subject to national decision-making procedures.

Battlegroups are a key component of the capabilities that the EU can make available in support of UN-authorised crisis management operations. Within the EU Battlegroup concept, the purpose of the Battlegroup, as a rapid response capability, includes the role of acting as an initial entry force to stabilise a situation pending the deployment of a follow-on force, to support an established peace support operation which is running into difficulties, and to respond to humanitarian crises.

Cybersecurity Policy

Questions (115)

Ruairí Ó Murchú

Question:

115. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the progress there has been in plans for the protection of critical State infrastructure in the coming months and years including against cyber and hybrid attacks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29525/23]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Defence

As Minister for Defence, I chair the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning (GTF) supported by the Office of Emergency Planning (OEP) in my Department. A subgroup of the GTF was assigned responsibility to develop guidance on critical infrastructure resilience in 2017. The subgroup produced the first guideline document on critical infrastructure resilience in February 2019. This document was subsequently revised and updated in July 2021.

While the primary responsibility for safeguarding critical infrastructure rests with its owner or operator, the guideline document provides the methodology for operators of essential services to follow to enhance their resilience. It also outlines that it is the responsibility of each government department to foster links and work closely with the semi-state and private sector operators of critical infrastructure, in their respective policy areas, to enhance the protection of critical infrastructure from a wide variety of threats.

The OEP is also the focal point for the new European Critical Entities Resilience Directive, published on 27 December 2022, which aims to enhance the resilience of critical entities that provide services essential for vital societal functions or economic activities in the internal market. This Directive creates a framework to support Member States in ensuring that critical entities are able to prevent, resist, absorb and recover from disruptive incidents, whether they are caused by natural hazards, accidents, terrorism, insider threats, or public health emergencies. Because of its role as focal point for this new Directive, the OEP also ensures that information concerning the resilience of critical entities is communicated in appropriate ways to Government Departments and sectors of relevance. This includes advisories for the information of operators of essential services and critical infrastructure as and when required.

Given the international context, it is clear that good practice necessitates national authorities across the European Union ensure the resilience of their critical infrastructure. Therefore, it is the Government position that it is prudent for operators of critical infrastructure to examine and enhance their resilience by increasing their physical security arrangements. An advisory has been issued from the OEP in my Department to that effect.

Also of note is that the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces continue to engage with the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications in relation to the protection of Ireland’s offshore energy infrastructure and data cables. While the Defence Forces have limited sub-sea capabilities, enhanced maritime patrolling of the Irish Sea in the vicinity of priority offshore energy infrastructure is taking place. The enhanced patrolling is being conducted by a mixture of air and naval platforms.

On a final point, my Department works closely on Cyber and Hybrid issues with the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications and the Department of Foreign Affairs respectively.

Question No. 116 answered with Question No. 73.

Question No. 117 answered with Question No. 94.

Question No. 118 answered with Question No. 104.

Question No. 119 answered with Question No. 96.

Defence Forces

Questions (120)

James Lawless

Question:

120. Deputy James Lawless asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the strength of the reserve Defence Force as of 1 June 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28296/23]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Defence

The strength of the Reserve Defence Force, as of 31 May 2023, is set out below:

Service	Establishment	Effective Strength
Army Reserve	3869	1351
Naval Service Reserve	200	79
First Line Reserve (FLR)	N/A	276

*there is no set establishment for the FLR

The Government remains fully committed to the advancement of the Reserve Defence Force (RDF). The 2015 White Paper on Defence is quite clear that there is a continued requirement to retain and develop the Reserve.

The Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces (CODF) equally serves to reinforce that commitment. The Report contains many recommendations on the future role and structure of the RDF.

Two recommendations from the report, which have been identified as Early Actions, relate to the RDF, namely the establishment of the Office of Reserve Affairs (ORA), and the development of a Regeneration Plan for the Reserve.

The ORA has been established, with the appointment of a Colonel to lead the ORA. The office is also currently staffed with a Lieutenant Colonel from the RDF. Further personnel will be assigned to the Unit.

The development of the Regeneration Plan will be the initial focus of the ORA and this is in train. This process will also take into consideration the CoDF recommendations relating to the structure and strength of the RDF, such as increasing the future RDF establishment strength, which includes that the future establishment of the RDF should be increased and should include, at a minimum, an Air Force Reserve of 200, and a Navy Reserve of 400.

From the 2022 RDF recruitment competition, where over 1000 application were received, nearly 100 RDF recruits have been inducted into the Defence Forces with further inductions scheduled. The military authorities have advised that once the body of work arising from last year's campaign is completed, consideration will be given to the launch of a further recruitment initiative in mid-2023.

It is intended to ensure that the momentum behind the regeneration of the RDF will be maintained throughout 2023 and beyond, thereby enabling us, going forward, to create a Reserve Defence Force that can seamlessly train, operate and deploy with the Permanent Defence Force, both nationally and internationally.