Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 September 2022
791. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Defence the breakdown of the products or services delivered to the Irish Defence Forces in return for the €1.06 million paid to date to NATOs Battlefield Information Collection and Exploitation System Group Executive; the benefits that Ireland has gained in regard to the security and defence of Irish territory from this expenditure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43234/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMilitary intelligence plays a key role in maintaining an awareness of threats to the State and to forces deployed at home and overseas. The Directorate of Intelligence is a constituent part of Defence Forces Headquarters and delivers threat assessments to the Minister for Defence, the Department of Defence as well as, through the Chief of Staff, to the National Security Committee. Liaison is also maintained between the Directorate and An Garda Síochána. The nature of intelligence activities is confidential and in the interests of national security.
To aid in this effort, Ireland is currently an associate participant of Battlefield Information Collection and Exploitation System Group Executive (BICES). This is a classified interconnected system of systems used to share intelligence and intelligence-related information between and among its participants, associated participants, NATO and other organisations.
