Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 October 2022
92. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide a list of the arms industry companies from Ireland and other parts of the world that attended the recent 6 October 2022 arms fair, organised by the Department of Defence in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52081/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe event to which the Deputy refers took place on 6 October with the aim providing information to Irish industry and research institutions with a view to identifying opportunities to collaborate on future projects in the areas of security, defence and dual use technologies. The participants in the event were a range of industry and research organisations. It is important to clarify the actual purpose of the event and not to have it misrepresented.
The event was in support of Irish companies, especially SMEs, and Irish research institutions who are engaged in the development of technologies that enhance the capabilities of the Defence Forces and keep them safe, whether they are on missions and operations overseas or undertaking their range of duties at home in Ireland. These companies and research projects also create high-level employment across Ireland and export cutting edge technology around the world.
The event follows on from the 2021 publication by my Department and the Defence Forces of a Feasibility Study which, inter alia, identified the value of having a research technology and innovation capability within the Defence Organisation that focuses on technologies at lower technology readiness levels (TRL) that have broad potential utilisation in both the civil and security and defence spheres and on leveraging innovations from the civilian sector in a manner that offer potential benefits for our Defence Forces as well as for industry and academia.
The establishment of the Research, Technology and Innovation (RTI) Unit in Defence will set a new strategic direction for Defence innovation and collaboration in Ireland by driving internal innovation in the Defence Organisation and contributing to the development of a security and defence dual-use innovation eco-system. The Defence RTI Unit will also support Irish enterprise and research bodies in accessing EU funding streams, including through the European Defence Fund and the European Defence Agency and their engagement with European networks and SMEs across the EU.
Supporting Irish research and enterprise in accessing funding and in exploiting opportunities in capability development in the security and defence domain, and participation by such entities in such research and development opportunities, does not compromise Ireland's traditional policy of military neutrality. These initiatives do not involve Ireland becoming a member of a military alliance nor a participant in any mutual defence arrangements. I am satisfied that this event was consistent with Ireland's foreign policy, including our participation in the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy and our traditional policy of military neutrality.
A list of organisations, including industry, research and governmental organisations that registered and participated in the event can be found below. Press and media were also in attendance. The Secretary General of my Department, the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces and I all participated in the event.
The Azure Forum for Contemporary Security Strategy, Acustek, Adfulcrum, Aquila Bioscience, Arcon Consultants, A-techSYN, Aviareto limited, Beechbrook Capital, BonarHRD, Botanic Aviation Consultants Ltd, Science Foundation Ireland, Corballis Technologies, Cytec Consulting, Defensive Thinking, Department of Defence, EU Commission DG DEFIS, DPER, Enterprise Ireland, Finland Defence and Security Association, Fóla Partners, Icpnewtech ltd, IDA Ireland, Irish Center for Emergency Management, Irish Defence and Security Association, Irish Defence Forces, KX, Maynooth University, Mbryonics Ltd, Microsoft, Millennia Aviation, National Space Centre, Nexter, Nokia, Oracle, PA Consulting, PACE, RBSL, Reamda ltd, Rohde & Schwarz, Scope ITR Ltd, South East Technological University, Timoney Technology, Trinity College Dublin, University College Dublin, University of Limerick, Vedette Consulting, Vocavio Technologies, VRAI.
