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Thursday, 10 Mar 2022

Written Answers Nos. 1-20

Defence Forces

Ceisteanna (4)

Mattie McGrath

Ceist:

4. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Defence if he is considering an increase in the capacity of the Defence Forces given the impact of the Russian invasion of a sovereign state Ukraine which is also a neutral State; and the expected financial costs of an increase in capacity. [13738/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Ireland's defence policy is set out in the White Paper on Defence (2015) and the White Paper Update (2019).  Both the White Paper and the White Paper Update were based on security environment assessments carried out by interdepartmental groups.  These assessments considered the threat to Ireland of a conventional military attack as possible but unlikely.    

The White Paper and the White Paper Update are clear that the security challenges are such, that no single country can deal with these alone.  The white Paper also highlights the importance of the UN and EU for collective security.  Ireland strongly supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, a position I have repeatedly reaffirmed at UN Security Council meetings on Ukraine and in EU meetings.  I would like to assure the Deputy that Ireland will continue to work with our EU partners and at the UN to shape a collective response, and has supported the adoption of a package of sanctions on Russia, some of the toughest sanctions the EU has ever imposed. 

The report of the Commission on the Defence Forces and the current events in Ukraine are prompting an open debate and consideration of our defence requirements.  I fully accept there is an ongoing requirement to consider whether the capabilities we maintain are appropriate, having regard to the security environment, the roles that we wish the Defence Forces to undertake, and likely risks.   

This is why the Programme for Government gave a commitment to estabish an independent Commission on the Defence Forces to examine immediate requirements while also seeking to develop a longer term vision for beyond 2030.  The Commission was established in December 2020 and their report was published on the 9th February 2022.  Within  a relatively short period of time the Commission produced a substantial piece of work running to over 200 pages with a large number of significant recommendations.

The Commission's report is being fully considered, in consultation with Ministerial colleagues and other stakeholders.   The intent is to revert to Government with a proposed response and a high-level action plan in advance of the summer recess.   As the Deputy will appreciate, it would be inappropriate for me at this time to pre-empt an ongoing deliberative process.  

Questions Nos. 5 to 12, inclusive, answered orally.

Defence Forces

Ceisteanna (13)

Pádraig O'Sullivan

Ceist:

13. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Defence the position regarding the stocks of anti-armour weapons; if he will provide further information on other heavy artillery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12683/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Equipment priorities for the Defence Forces are being considered in the context of the lifetime of the White Paper on Defence on a civil military basis as part of the capability development and Equipment Development Planning (EDP) process. 

This includes the provision of anti-armour defensive weapons platforms and artillery systems for the Defence Forces, in order to ensure that they can carry out the roles assigned by Government. For operational and security reasons I am not in a position to give precise figures as to the number of these anti-armour platforms and associated ammunition levels held by the Defence Forces. 

I am advised by the Military Authorities that the principal anti-armour systems in use by the Defence Forces are the SAAB made AT4 Short range anti armour weapon and the Carl Gustav 84mm recoil-less rifle platforms. The Defence Forces also operate the Lockheed Raytheon FGM-148 Javelin system. These are all shoulder fired systems operated by dismounted infantry.

Regarding artillery platforms I am advised that the Defence Forces do not operate heavy artillery platforms. The largest systems used by the Defence Forces comprise of the L118/119 105mm light gun/howitzer and the M87 120mm mortar system. Both of these non-automated systems are towed platforms and provide fire support with the aid of an integrated fire control system.

I am advised that sufficient stocks of ammunition needed for these platforms are retained by the Defence Forces to meet both training and contingent needs on-island and operational requirements overseas. In this context, the Defence Forces operate a robust stock control system to ensure that ammunition levels are maintained with fresh units being acquired as and when necessary .

As such I am satisfied that the Defence Forces have a sufficient amount of modern and effective anti-armour and artillery systems and associated ammunition to enable it to fulfil its assigned roles and taskings.

I am aware from general media and public comment regarding the potential dispatch of anti-armour munitions to Ukraine from stocks held by the Defence Forces. After serious consideration the Government has decided not to send such munitions nor indeed any other lethal aid equipment to Ukraine. Ireland remains fully aligned to its long standing position regarding military neutrality. Ireland is contributing to the European Peace Facility fund to enable non lethal equipment to be promptly sent to Ukraine. The Government is also funding humanitarian assistance.

Defence Forces

Ceisteanna (14)

Barry Cowen

Ceist:

14. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Defence his views on the finding by the Commission on the Defence Forces that the current level of financial commitment provided to the Defence Forces delivers military capabilities which are inadequate for the defence of Ireland. [13225/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The White Paper on Defence in 2015 and the White Paper Update 2019 both include security environment assessments which were carried out by an interdepartmental working group. The assessments indicated a broad range of security challenges that were facing this state. The assessment was that a conventional military attack on this state although possible, was unlikely. The White Paper update (2019) stated that “the threats in the cyber domain, and from espionage, have been assessed as increasing since 2015 while the wider political global environment is now more complex and uncertain.”

The White Paper is clear that security challenges are such, that no single country can deal with these alone. The White Paper outlines the importance of the UN and EU in collective security and commits Ireland to fully supporting UN mandated peace support operations. As such the policy position has been that Ireland would maintain military capabilities which would enable the Defence Forces to fully contribute to UN mandated peace support operations, meet domestic security and civil support requirements, whilst also retaining capabilities for certain contingencies.

I fully acknowledge there is an ongoing requirement to consider whether the capabilities we maintain are appropriate, having regard to the security environment, the roles that we wish the Defence Forces to undertake, and likely risks. That is precisely why the Programme for Government contained a commitment to establish an independent Commission on the Defence Forces and why I moved quickly to establish the Commission. Current events are also prompting increased open debate and consideration of our defence requirements.

The Commission’s report, which was recently published, contains many detailed recommendations and there is a process underway to consider these recommendations. This necessarily requires consultation with Ministerial colleagues. As I have previously outlined, I am also keen to hear broader views on the findings and recommendations contained in the report and I will be engaging further on this, over the coming period.

The intent is to revert to Government with a proposed response and a high-level action plan in advance of the summer recess. As the Deputy will appreciate, it would be inappropriate for me at this time to pre-empt an ongoing deliberative process.

Question No. 15 answered orally.

Departmental Expenditure

Ceisteanna (16)

Paul Murphy

Ceist:

16. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Defence the details of Ireland’s defence spending projections into the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13515/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

On an annual basis, the overall Defence Vote Group 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. Thus, for 2022, the total gross allocation provided to the Defence Vote Group, as set out in Budget 2022, is €1,107 million, comprising of €836 million for Vote 36 (Defence) and €271 million for Vote 35 (Army Pensions).

Capital funding allocations are also framed by the multi-annual National Development Plan. The White Paper on Defence, updated in 2019, highlighted the importance of capability development and the necessity for continued renewal, upgrade and acquisition of military equipment and infrastructure. To this end, the National Development Plan has allocated multi-annual funding of €566 million to Defence out to 2025, with an allocation of €141 million per annum provided for 2022 and 2023 and €142 million per annum for 2024 and 2025. In recent years, pay savings have also been reallocated for investment in military equipment. With the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, should pay savings arise in the future, the Department will, where possible, reallocate them towards further investment in military equipment and infrastructure. Many of the military equipment projects are complex, multi-annual and have long lead-in times, so the funding certainty now provided by the National Development Plan is welcome, as it will enable the Department and the Defence Forces to plan, prioritise and deliver on scheduled projects over the coming years.

As the Deputy will be aware, the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces was recently published. There is a process underway to consider the many detailed recommendations in that report. This necessarily requires consultation with Ministerial colleagues. The intent is to revert to Government with a proposed response and a high-level action plan in advance of the summer recess. As the Deputy will appreciate, it would be inappropriate for me at this time to pre-empt an ongoing deliberative process.

Official Engagements

Ceisteanna (17, 19)

Mick Barry

Ceist:

17. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Defence if he will report on his discussions with other European Union defence ministers and the European Commission in relation to increasing military spending, further integration of European Union military forces and the role of the European Union military force itself; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13506/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Mick Barry

Ceist:

19. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Defence his views on the proposals by the French government to deepen European Union military integration and to increase military spending; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13507/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 17 and 19 together.

Within the EU, it is accepted that defence and security is a national competence, including national spending on defence and security. With regard to defence spending domestically, Government policy is determined within the parameters of our national budgetary process and role of Dáil Éireann. 

As part of Ireland's participation in Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO), Ireland has committed to regularly increase our defence budgets in real terms in order to reach agreed objectives. This is a commitment to be met over the medium term. The PESCO notification states clearly that PESCO does not prejudice the security and defence policy of the member states; that the member states remain sovereign; and that the commitments will be implemented fully in accordance with the Treaty, its protocols and the constitutional provisions of the Member States. This clear acknowledgement includes PESCO commitments made in relation to defence spending.

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.

The European Council agreed in 2021, has a €5bn (€5.7bn in cirrent prices) 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.

Any calls for increased funding for defence will in the first instance be for national defence spending and for national ministries to decide, but there may yet be concrete proposals for increased EU spending on defence. We will look at those proposals if and when they are tabled. We alone continue to decide on defence investment and deployment of our Defence Forces. The budgetary process and role of Dáil Éireann remains unchanged.

Ireland is Constitutionally prohibited from participation in an EU common defence. The legally binding Irish Protocol to the Lisbon Treaty, ratified by the twenty-eighth amendment to the Constitution, provides that any decision to move to a common defence will require a unanimous decision of the European Council.  It would be a matter for the Member States, including Ireland, to decide, in accordance with the provisions of the Treaty of Lisbon and with their respective constitutional requirements, whether or not to adopt a common defence.

The European Union does not itself possess a military force. EU Battlegroups are multinational, military units which form part of the European Union's military rapid reaction capacity. Member States choose whether to participate and in which Battlegroup to seek to participate. At EU level, their deployment is subject to a unanimous decision by the Council and any Irish deployment with an EU Battlegroup is subject to our own triple lock mechanism. The Strategic Compass includes a proposal for a Rapid Deployment Capacity. While Ireland remains broadly supportive of the concept discussions on the existing Battle Group Concept are still ongoing and it is my view that the result of these discussions should inform any development of this new concept.

The French government has not presented specific proposals on European Union military integration or to increase military spending at EU level.

Defence Forces

Ceisteanna (18)

John Brady

Ceist:

18. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Defence the details of the plans to address the post-94 contracts within the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13230/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

A civil/military review of mandatory retirement ages and service limits of all ranks in the Permanent Defence Force has been conducted. The recommendations arising from the review requires consideration from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, in relation to implications on costs and pensions.

In December 2021, I secured agreement with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, which allows for an extension in service limits for Privates and Corporals, who were recruited to the Permanent Defence Force since 1 January 1994, to remain in service up to 50 years of age, subject to them meeting certain criteria including medical and fitness standards.

In addition, I also secured arrangements that will facilitate the extension of service limits of Sergeants recruited to the Permanent Defence Force since 1994. Details in relation to the proposal for Sergeants will be finalised following further discussions with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. There will also be discussions with PDFORRA, the representative association for enlisted personnel on this matter.

The other recommendations in the civil/military review, which includes service limits Commissioned Officers and for senior Non-Commissioned Officer ranks, will be considered in the forum of an Inter-Departmental Working Group, which the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform has established, to consider mandatory retirement ages and service limits for public service groups who have fast accrual pension arrangements.  

Question No. 19 answered with Question No. 17.

Defence Forces

Ceisteanna (20)

David Stanton

Ceist:

20. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Defence his plans to introduce legislation which would serve to protect the employment of members of the Reserve Defence Forces while such members take part in full-time duties as members of the Reserve Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13222/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Members of the Army Reserve (AR) and the Naval Service Reserve (NSR) are not employed or engaged under a contract of employment and are not employees per se.  Furthermore, service with the AR and NSR is not pensionable under the Army Pension Schemes. 

Heretofore, there was no provision in the Defence Acts to allow RDF personnel to be deployed overseas. However, as the Deputy will be aware, the Defence (Amendment) Act 2021 has now been signed into law, which serves to update the Defence Legislation on the use of the RDF on a voluntary basis, on-island and overseas in support of the Permanent Defence Force.

On foot of the enactment of the Defence Amendment Act, I gave a commitment to liaise with the Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE) on the issue of employment protection for RDF members who might be engaged in voluntary military service in support of the PDF going forward.

I wish to advise the Deputy that engagement at official level with DETE on this matter has been initiated with a view to identifying the most appropriate steps.  This matter will require careful consideration and will ultimately also involve an open and honest dialogue with employer bodies. The Deputy will appreciate that I do not wish to comment further pending the outcome of these initial discussions at official level.

In addition as the Deputy will be aware, the Report of the Independent Commission on the Defence Forces, published on 9 February 2022,  includes proposals on the role and contribution of the RDF. There is a process underway to consider these recommendations in consultation with Ministerial colleagues and stakeholders. The intent is to revert to Government with a proposed response and a high-level action plan in advance of the summer recess.

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