Minister of State for Defence to brief Foreign Affairs Committee on Ireland's security cooperation with EU partners

The meeting at 9:30 a.m. in Committee Room 1 can be viewed live here and on Android and Apple devices using the Houses of the Oireachtas app.

Minister of State Kehoe will brief the Committee on Ireland’s latest discussions with European Union colleagues on mutual security and defence initiatives, particularly Irish involvement in Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO).

Ireland has joined 24 European partners in a new EU coordination body, PESCO, which brings together military personnel and pools financial resources in pursuit of shared security objectives. Ireland agreed earlier this year to participate in two PESCO initiatives: developing better systems for safeguarding harbours and maritime routes, and forging a new EU training centre for military cooperation.

“Ireland’s efforts to improve its national security and multinational cooperation as part of the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy is an important commitment that merits regular scrutiny,” said Committee Chairman Brendan Smith TD.

“Committee members will be interested to hear how the State’s most recent commitments on military cooperation will remain in keeping with Ireland’s sovereignty and policy of neutrality,” Deputy Smith said. “Such commitments must align with Ireland’s traditional triple-lock approach requiring all military deployments overseas to be mandated by the United Nations and approved by both the Government and the Dáil.”