Written Answers Nos. 148-155
148. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the legislative and procedural changes he plans to introduce to settle outstanding grievances with the Defence Forces representative organisations in view of the breach of the European Charter of Fundamental Human Rights (details supplied). [29518/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMembers of the Defence Forces have access to a range of mechanisms for dispute resolution. They are designed to ensure that independence, confidentiality and impartiality are properly respected. Claims can be advanced on either an individual or collective basis, depending on the forum being used. The outcome arising from the use of a particular mechanism may determine the type of legislative or procedural change required. In addition, the Minister has power pursuant to Section 26 Defence Act 1954 to make Regulations.
As there here has been no finding of a breach of the EU Charter of Fundamental Human Rights, no legislative or procedural change is anticipated in reference thereto.
149. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he has engaged with the Department of Education and Skills with regard to the need to upgrade schools on the Curragh Camp; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29530/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is not currently engaged in formal negotiations with the Department of Education and Skills in relation to school provision and accommodation requirements for the existing schools in the Curragh Camp. I am advised that my officials have recently had informal discussions on the range of matters to be considered in relation to the planning for school provision at post primary level in the general area. While the planning for and provision of school accommodation is primarily a matter for the Minister for Education and Skills, my Department is open to discussions with that Department in relation to the future planning provision for schools in that area.
150. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the status of the establishment of a new lands management team and a new environmental maintenance contract for the Curragh plains; the work ongoing to identify suitable locations for car parking spaces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29531/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe recruitment process for the appointment of a new lands management team will continue in 2018 and as part of this team a new Curragh Maor was recently appointed. This team will oversee all activities on the ground including, but not limited to, littering, sheep branding, patrolling, monitoring users of lands, inspection of property boundaries, illegal encampments and engagement with the public.
In relation to the award of a new environmental maintenance contract for the Curragh, I can advise that it is my Department's intention to commence this procurement process in the coming months.
Preliminary work has been undertaken in identifying suitable locations for the construction of car parking facilities on the Curragh plains. Further detailed work on the design and associated costings will be progressed as part of my Department's infrastructural programme.
151. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of times his Department has engaged polling companies and or Irish market researchers to conduct research on its behalf in each of the past two years; the names of such companies; the costs associated with same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29571/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that my Department has not engaged the services of any polling companies and or Irish market research companies during the period in question.
152. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the agreements made by Ireland at the EU Council meeting in respect of security and defence matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29610/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe European Council meeting was held in Brussels on 28 June 2018 and attended by An Taoiseach. The Council conclusions adopted at this meeting covered a number topics, including migration, security and defence, and economic and financial affairs.
In terms of security and defence, Council conclusions detailed a number of key areas including Permanent Structured Co-operation (PESCO), military mobility, civilian CSDP and EU-NATO Co-operation.
More specifically, in relation to PESCO the Council called for the fulfilment of the commitments with the further development of the initial projects and the institutional framework, and noted the future discussion regarding the conditions for third State participation in PESCO.
EU-NATO cooperation was discussed ahead of the NATO summit in July with NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg in attendance. The new Joint declaration was signalled in the Council Conclusions and there were calls for further deepening of EU-NATO Co-operation, in full respect of the principles of inclusiveness, reciprocity and the decision-making autonomy of the EU.
The Council welcomed progress on military mobility in the framework of PESCO and EU-NATO cooperation and called on Member States to simplify and standardise relevant rules by 2024. Ireland noted that these efforts will fully respect the sovereignty of the Member States.
The Council called for the swift implementation of the European Defence Industrial Development Programme (EDIDP) and for future progress on the European Defence Fund (EDF) both in its research and capability windows.
The Council also welcomed the work undertaken to strengthen civilian CSDP and called for an agreement on a civilian CSDP Compact by the end of this year. It recognised that military and civilian aspects need to be addressed in a comprehensive manner with a focus on concrete deliverables.
Finally, the Council also welcomed the Joint Communication on Europe's resilience to hybrid and Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear related threats and calls for the adoption as soon as possible of a new EU regime of restrictive measures to address the use and proliferation of chemical weapons.
153. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans to include a dedicated budgetary heading on security and defence in the multi-annual financial framework of the EU and the budgetary implications for Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29611/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra157. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the financial implications for Ireland arising from the EU Commission proposal of 13 June 2018 for a regulation establishing the European defence fund for the period 2021 to 2027; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29615/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 153 and 157 together.
The next EU Multi-Annual Financial Framework (MFF) will determine the budget spending for the EU for the period from 2021-2027. On 2 May 2018, the European Commission presented its EU budget proposals for the MFF. Included in this, the Commission proposed a budget of €13 billion, over the seven year period, be dedicated to the European Defence Fund - €4.1 billion to defence research and €8.9 billion to the development of defence capabilities.
The 2021-2027 MFF process is at a very early stage. The allocation of resources across all of the various EU sectoral funds will be considered in the context of the eventual total agreed budget for the EU.
On 13 June 2018, the Commission put forward proposals for a Regulation establishing the European Defence Fund for the period 2021-2027 under the 2021-2027 multi-annual financial framework. It aims to trigger cooperative programmes that would not happen without an EU contribution and, by supporting research and development activities, to provide the necessary incentives to boost cooperation at each stage of the industrial cycle. Collaborative projects with significant cross-border participation by small and medium-sized enterprises will be particularly encouraged. This will ensure that the Fund remains open to recipients from all Member States, regardless of their size and location in the Union.
In addition, the Commission proposes that the Union enhance its strategic transport infrastructures to make them fit for military mobility. A dedicated budget of €6.5 billion will be earmarked in the Connecting Europe Facility.
In relation to defence spending, Government policy is defined within the parameters of our national budgetary process and role of Dáil Éireann. Within the EU, it is accepted that defence and security is a national competence, including national spending on defence and security.
154. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if details have been given on the second wave of PESCO projects with the updated list of projects and participants to be decided by November 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29612/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 2 May 2018, the European Defence Agency, through the PESCO Secretariat, invited participating Member States to submit their project proposals for the next list of PESCO Projects no later than 31 of July 2018. It is expected that the submissions will be evaluated during September with the second wave of PESCO Projects to be adopted in November.
While a list has not been completed as yet in relation to the second wave of PESCO projects, work is now ongoing in my Department on analysing new PESCO project proposals put forward by Member States in terms of compatibility and suitability to Ireland's needs.
Ireland is currently participating in two projects from the first list of PESCO projects. One relates to the ongoing development of Defence Forces capabilities for peace support and crisis management operations; The German led "Centre of Excellence for EU Military Training Missions (EUTMCC) Project" and the second project is a Greek led "Upgrade of Maritime Surveillance Systems". We also maintain observer status on a further eight projects.
155. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the steps that have been taken by Ireland to implement priorities identified by the capability development plan and co-ordinated annual review on defence; the estimated cost of the implementation of same; the outstanding priorities identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29613/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn November 2016, the European Defence Agency (EDA) Steering Board agreed to the review of the European Union Capability Development Plan (CDP) and tasked the EDA to present a new set of Priority Actions by Spring 2018 that would reflect the changing security challenges. At the EDA Steering Board on 28 June, delegates approved the EU Capability Development Priorities. The review process has identified eleven Priorities across all domains, land, maritime, air and the joint domain which include developing capabilities in the area of Cyber, Information and Communication Systems, Naval Manoeuvrability, Air Mobility and Enhanced Logistic capabilities.
The Capability Development Priorities will now be developed further by the EDA and Member States and also in other international capability development fora. The priorities are assessed on an ongoing basis in line with Member States requirements and evolve in response to the changing security environment.
The Co-ordinated Annual Review on Defence (CARD) will assist the CDP process by reviewing Member States’ implementation of the 2018 EU Capability Development Priorities and by identifying additional opportunities for cooperation.
The Co-ordinated Annual Review (CARD) on Defence aims to create greater transparency by sharing Member States information on future defence policy, capability development, budgets and investment. It is expected that such transparency will support greater collaboration among Member States on investment in capabilities. Participation in CARD is open to all Member States on an entirely voluntary basis, recognising that the defence policies of Member States, including defence spending and capabilities, is entirely a national competence.
Ireland's engagement in the implementation of priorities is through our contribution in developing defence capabilities, both nationally and internationally, along with our active cooperation with the EDA in relation to CARD. A bilateral meeting as part of the CARD trial run took place between Ireland and the EDA last December along with further exchanges with the EDA during the finalisation and return of Ireland's CARD data in early 2018.
Ireland engages in the following capability development projects in the EDA. The costs listed are the lifetime costs of each individual project and are met from within the Defence Vote;
- European Centre for Manual Neutralisation Capabilities (ECMAN) at a cost of EUR 450,000,
- Co-operation on Cyber Ranges in the European Union. There is no financial contribution to this project but Member States will contribute to the project “in-kind” - through participating and exchanging information and knowledge in relation to cyber range training and exercises.
The eleven Capability Development Priorities identified will now be forwarded for endorsing by the Member States Ministers at the EDA Steering Board in November 2018. The report of the CARD trial run will also be presented. No conclusions have yet been drawn from the CARD.
