Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 November 2023
61. Deputy James Lawless asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence his response to the statement in the Report of the Consultative Forum on International Security Policy that Ireland is not, and never has been, in a position to defend its neutrality, unlike other neutral European countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50711/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra66. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence his vision for the transformation of the Irish Defence Forces, particularly in the area of military neutrality, following the Report on the Consultative Forum on International Security Policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50750/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 61 and 66 together.
The Chairperson of the Forum, Louise Richardson, has prepared and presented her report, which provides a summary and analysis of the four days of discussions and submissions to the public consultation. This report was published and presented to Government on 17 October. The Dáil debate on the report, to which I committed, will take place tomorrow.
One of the key points raised over the four days of the Consultative Forum was the requirement to invest in the Defence Forces. This requirement to invest more in our Defence Forces has already started, as reflected in the increased spending allocations in Budgets 2023 and 2024.
Following detailed consideration of the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces, the Government approved a move to Level of Ambition 2, with a commensurate increase of the Defence budget from €1.1 billion to €1.5 billion, in 2022 prices, by 2028.
Significant progress has been made on the development of a detailed plan to implement the Commission recommendations by 2028. This detailed implementation plan was approved by Government today (Tuesday 21st November) and published.
The Government also approved a Strategic Framework for Transformation of the Defence Forces in September, which outlines the necessary actions to be delivered by the end of 2024 as part of the longer-term transformation of the Defence Forces into a fit-for-purpose organisation to defend the State and meet the challenges of today and the future. There is a focus on strategic HR and cultural change which will serve to transform the internal working environment for serving members.
The Strategic Defence Review is one of these priorities and the first stage of this process has commenced with the preparation of a revised security environment assessment (SEA). This is currently being progressed by an interdepartmental working group, having full regard to the significantly changed security environment in Europe following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Following its completion, a fresh consideration of the implications of this assessment for overall policy requirements, associated tasks, capability development and resourcing will then be completed.
As well as encompassing the Government's response to the recommendations from the Commission on the Defence Forces, the Strategic Defence Review will consider the reflections of the Consultative Forum on international security and the future role of the Defence Forces both nationally and internationally.
In term of capability, the priorities for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service are considered as part of the capability development planning processes which include both a five-year Equipment Development Plan and a Built Infrastructure Programme.
The Equipment Development Plan recognises the need to maintain and upgrade military capabilities having regard to emerging priorities, operational requirements and changes in technology. This is an ongoing process, with significant progress having been made in terms of equipment procurement and modernisation in the last 18 months.
As capability development is an ongoing iterative process, there are a number of further defensive equipment acquisition and upgrade projects that are currently ongoing, at different stages, and due to be completed this year and planned for completion over the coming years. These include those capabilities highlighted by the Commission on the Defence Forces such as Primary Radar and Counter Unmanned Aerial Vehicle systems.
The Chair’s Report of the Consultative Forum on International Security Policy references the investment that other neutral states have made in their Armed Forces. I am certain that the delivery of the recommendations of the Commission on the Defence Forces as well as the Strategic Framework will result in transformation with a modern, agile, forward looking Defence Forces equipped to deal with the increasingly complex security environment.
