Written Answers Nos. 156-163
156. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the involvement of Ireland in the European defence industrial development programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29614/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe European Defence Fund (EDF) is a financial mechanism designed to enable and accelerate cooperation among Member States to better coordinate, supplement and amplify national investments in defence. Through the co-funded EDF, Member States will be able to achieve greater output and develop defence technology and equipment that may not be feasible on their own, by pooling national resources. The fund will also foster innovation and allow economies of scale, which will enhance the competitiveness of the EU defence industry. The Fund has two strands or windows, which are complementary; the Research Window and the Capability Window.
The European Defence Industrial Development Programme (EDIDP) is known as the Capability Window. The programme aims to support the competitiveness and innovation capacity of the Union's defence industry for the period 2019-2020. In addition, the programme will act as an enabler for cooperation, incentivising potential collaborative development programmes.
Ireland’s position in the European Defence industrial Development Programme was developed through the Department of Defence led Interdepartmental Group made up of representatives from the Departments of the Taoiseach, Foreign Affairs and Trade, Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Business, Enterprise and Innovation. National engagement with those Departments took place on the formulation of the text of the regulation to establish this programme, in order to ensure that the Programme reflected the interests of Ireland, particularly in the area of opportunities for SMEs. Ireland strongly welcomes proposals that a proportion of the overall budget is to be earmarked for projects involving cross-border participation of SMEs.
The text of the regulation was negotiated between Member States in the Friends of the Presidency format and following agreement between the Council and the Parliament the EDIDP will commence on 1 January 2019 for a duration of two years and receive funding of €500 million until end-2020. In the next Multi-annual Financial Framework the proposal from the Commission is to provide €8.9 billion in funding to a follow-on capability development programme.
158. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the proposals to increase the mobility of military personnel, material and equipment at EU level as discussed at the recent European Council meeting; the implications of same for Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29616/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra159. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the actions requested of Ireland in order to implement the action plan on military mobility adopted by the High Representative and the European Commission on 28 March 2018; the estimated timeframe for the completion of such actions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29617/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra161. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the details of the development and implementation of a national plan for military mobility; the details of the designated national point of contact as required by the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29619/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 158, 159 and 161 together.
On 28 March 2018, the Commission issued its Action Plan on Military Mobility following on from the November 2017 Joint Communication on improving military mobility in the EU. The Action Plan covers a number of areas: military requirements, infrastructure, dangerous goods, customs and VAT as well as cross border movement permission.
At the recent EU Council Meeting referred to, Ireland welcomed the fact that the Council Conclusions recognise that full respect will be given to the sovereignty of EU Member States over their national territory and national decision making processes regarding military movements. This is in keeping with the Action Plan on Military Mobility and is a fundamental point. Decisions on the transit of military personnel and equipment will remain a matter for each member State. Acknowledgement in the Council Conclusions of the voluntary nature of actions taken by Member States as part of military mobility initiatives is very much welcome.
One of the concrete actions identified in the Action Plan is the development of the Military Requirements which reflect the needs of the EU and its Member States, establishing geographical parameters, planning needs for movement and transport, training and security needs and access to transport resources, including private and State transport infrastructure. Technical specifications on transport infrastructure and loads is expected by July 2018, and the identification of infrastructure deemed ready is to be validated by the third quarter of 2018. A first progress report on the implementation of this Action Plan will be presented to the Member States by summer 2019.
The actions in the area of Transport Infrastructure relate to the infrastructure needs to accommodate military vehicles and suggests the identification and assessment of needs of militaries to be able to transport military vehicles – both the routes and technical requirements for the infrastructure. Member States are now invited to establish, as soon as possible, a single point of contact for information on access to transport infrastructure for military purposes and to consistently take military requirements into account when building transport infrastructure. My Department has been liaising with the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport in progressing this and with regard to establishing a single point of contact.
As you will recognise, the actions requested of Ireland in order to implement the Action Plan on Military Mobility are not restricted to the Defence area alone but affect many more Departments and agencies, such as Departments of Transport, Revenue Commissioners and Foreign Affairs and Trade. As such, any national discussions in relation to Military Mobility requires a whole of Government approach and cannot be resolved solely within my Department. Therefore, my Department is liaising with all relevant Government Departments and has highlighted the various responsibilities and will continue to co-ordinate the whole of Government position on Military Mobility.
160. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the details of Ireland's involvement in the two projects on cross-border movement permission and on harmonising the military requirements related to customs as part of the framework of the European Defence Agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29618/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 28 March 2018, the EU Commission issued its Action Plan on Military Mobility following on from a Joint Communication on military mobility issued in November 2017.
The Commission proposes that the Union enhance its strategic transport infrastructures to make them fit for military mobility. Some of the areas being examined for improvement under the Action Plan include streamlining procedures for diplomatic clearance, rationalising customs regulations, and reviewing transport of dangerous goods regulations and there is on-going work in the framework of the European Defence Agency (EDA) to support this.
To this end, the EDA has established two Category A Projects, following a decision of its Steering Board, to bring forward proposals/agreements in relation to (a) Cross Border Movement Permissions and (b) Common Customs arrangements for movement of Military Goods and Personnel across the EU. EDA Category A Project proposals assume the participation of all member States with an option to opt-out at any stage, as opposed to Category B proposals whereby nations have to formally opt-in. In Ireland's case, Government and Dáil approval is required for participation in both Category A and B projects.
Two Ad Hoc Working Groups will be established within the European Defence Agency to discuss each Category A project and Ireland will be represented at the meetings of these groups during the development of the technical arrangements to ensure that no obligation is placed on member States and that national sovereignty and procedures are respected. The first meeting of the Group on the customs issues met yesterday, 3 July and the first meeting of the Group on Movement Permissions will meet on 28 September.
Following completion of the development of the technical arrangements by the working groups, Ireland will assess its position in relation to participation in the two Category A projects.
162. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if his attention has been drawn to the details of the upcoming new joint declaration on EU-NATO co-operation in July 2018 and the obligations it will place on the EU; the involvement of Ireland in this co-operation; if it remains possible for member states to opt out of same on an individual basis; if he has expressed concerns on behalf of Ireland in the development and discussion of the joint declaration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29620/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is anticipated that the upcoming NATO Summit in July will include a new Joint Declaration regarding EU-NATO Cooperation. It is expected that the declaration will focus primarily on those areas of cooperation already underway under the agreed Common Set of Proposals.
Ireland welcomes the contribution that EU-NATO co-operation makes to international peace and security through the focus on avoiding duplication of structures, systems and interoperability standards. This ensures better coherence and effectiveness on the ground in peace support and crisis management operations.
The 2016 Joint Declaration references respect for the decision-making autonomy and procedures of both organisations.
163. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans to bring forward legislation to give effect to the decision agreed on 25 June 2018 with other EU Ministers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29621/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe decision referred to in the question is the Council Decision of 25 June 2018 establishing a common set of governance rules for PESCO projects.
In line with the Council Recommendation of 6 March 2018 establishing a PESCO roadmap for the way forward, a common set of governance rules for PESCO projects was adopted on 25 June 2018 at the Foreign Affairs Committee held in Luxembourg.
Roles for project participants and the PESCO Secretariat, and responsibilities for project team members are outlined in the Council Decision. The Council Decision itself provides the correct balance between legal clarity and flexibility. Ireland played an important role in the development of the common set of governance rules and welcomes in particular that they reflect the fact that PESCO is a Member State owned and driven initiative.
As the Council Decision details the general internal rules governing PESCO projects, there is no requirement for legislation to bring effect to the decision. Ireland's participation in PESCO, including the relevant projects, was agreed by Government and approved by Dáil Éireann prior to the Council Decision establishing PESCO on 11 December 2017.
