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Written Answers 26 February 2019 Written Answers. The following are questions tabled by Members for written response and the ministerial replies as received on the day from the Departments [unrevised]. Questions Nos. 1 to 13, inclusive, answered orally. Questions Nos. 14 to 27, inclusive, resubmitted. Questions Nos. 28 to 33, inclusive, answered orally. 26/02/2019WRA00700Army Barracks 26/02/2019WRA0080034. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans to rein- troduce a new Army barracks in counties Cavan and Monaghan or the greater Border region in view of Brexit and the possible reintroduction of a hard Border; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9373/19] 26/02/2019WRA00900Minister of State at the Department of Defence (Deputy Paul Kehoe): As part of a whole of Government approach, my Department continues to engage in forward planning with the other Departments involved in addressing all issues relevant to the UK’s decision to leave the European Union. This engagement involves the identification of key strategic, operational and policy issues arising from Brexit. As I have outlined previously, the UK’s decision to leave the EU does not of itself give rise to additional border control requirements. Furthermore, the avoidance of a hard border on the island is fundamental to the Withdrawal Agreement reached in November last between the EU and the UK Government, and there can be no change to the commitments made in that agree- ment. As such, there are no plans for a new Army barracks in counties Cavan and Monaghan or the greater Border region. Furthermore, it is important to note that primary responsibility for the internal security of the State rests with the Minister for Justice and Equality and An Garda Síochána. Accordingly, responsibility for the security aspect of border control rests with An Garda Síochána, while the Revenue Commissioners also have responsibilities relating to their particular mandate. Among the roles assigned to the Defence Forces in the White Paper on Defence is the pro- vision of Aid to the Civil Power which, in practice, means to provide assistance and support to An Garda Síochána when requested to do so. The Defence Forces also provide support to the Revenue Commissioners, again, when requested to do so. There is ongoing close liaison between An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces regard- ing security matters and regular coordination and liaison meetings take place. My Department continues to monitor the ongoing situation to ensure that both it and the Defence Forces are fully prepared to address any potential issues that might arise in the defence area as a conse- quence of Brexit. 1 Questions - Written Answers 26/02/2019WRA01000European Defence Agency 26/02/2019WRA0110035. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his views on whether Ireland’s proposed role in a European Defence Agency Project may lead to SOFA agreements and foreign troops being stationed here; and if he will make a statement on the mat- ter. [9425/19] 26/02/2019WRA01200Minister of State at the Department of Defence (Deputy Paul Kehoe): Ireland has been a participating member State in the European Defence Agency (EDA) since it was established in 2004. Since then, Ireland has participated in a range of EDA projects and programmes. These projects have included Maritime Surveillance, Force Protection, Chemical Biological Radio- logical and Nuclear (CBRN) protection, Cyber and Counter-Improvised Explosives Devices Manual Neutralisation techniques. The EDA is focused on assisting Member States in improving defence capabilities through European cooperation. The primary reason for Ireland’s participation is to support the devel- opment of Defence Forces capabilities for peacekeeping and international crisis management operations. Ireland’s participation in EDA projects to date, and our planned participation in the Specialist Engineer Search project, approved last week by Dáil Éireann, do not involve SOFA agreements or the stationing of foreign troops within the State. In fact, there is no connection between the role of the SOFAs, which are essentially focussed on operational deployment of military forces and EDA projects which are focussed on capability development. The Deputy will recall that Dáil Éireann recently approved Ireland’s ratification of the Part- nership for Peace and the European Union SOFAs. As I explained in the course of the debate, Bunreacht na hÉireann does not allow for foreign militaries to be based in Ireland due to the provisions of Article 15.6.2 of the Constitution. This fact is not changed by Ireland’s participa- tion in projects under the EDA. In addition, Ireland’s agreement of both SOFAs is subject to respective Reservations as outlined during the debates. These Reservations which are based on our Constitutional provisions will be associated with Ireland’s instrument of ratification in respect of each of the SOFAs. The Reservations ensure that the SOFAs will only extend to members of the PDF deploying overseas where these SOFAs apply. They will not apply within the Irish State. 26/02/2019WRA01300Permanent Structured Co-operation 26/02/2019WRA0140036. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the estimated cost in the coming years of participation in PESCO related operations; and the capital costs related to procurement processes under PESCO. [9427/19] 26/02/2019WRA01500Minister of State at the Department of Defence (Deputy Paul Kehoe): The act of join- ing PESCO does not involve an additional cost to the Exchequer. Additional costs may arise in respect of participation in specific PESCO projects similar to the case where the Defence Forces participate in European Defence Agency Projects. Ireland is currently participating in two PESCO projects - (1) The European Union Training Mission Competence Centre and (2) Upgrade of Maritime Surveillance. These projects relate to the ongoing development of Defence Forces capabilities for peace support and crisis manage- ment operations. Costs associated with participation on these projects would be incurred in the normal course and will therefore be met from within the Defence Vote. In 2018 no additional costs were incurred through PESCO related activities other than costs 2 26 February 2019 associated with attendance by Defence Forces Subject Matter Experts at PESCO project plan- ning meetings. As the projects where Ireland is a Participant are still in the early stages of development, the budgets and timeline for participant’s involvement has not yet been fully determined. This may change as projects progress and capabilities are developed and acquired through the PESCO framework. However, it is expected that sharing the costs of capability development across a number of Member States should prove cost neutral in terms of overall projected defence expenditure. In relation to the eight PESCO projects where Ireland is an Observer, there will be no finan- cial impact for Ireland other than when a representative from the relevant Directorate or Service within the Defence Forces attends each of the project meetings. Ireland’s commitment at this time is through our attendance at meetings as the projects progress. The establishment of PESCO represents a further development in EU Cooperation in sup- port of international peace and security under CSDP; a development that Ireland welcomes. Security and Defence is a key priority for the European Union in the face of new threats and security challenges which are beyond the capacity of a State acting alone and where Member States must work together to address them – e.g. Cyber, Hybrid, Radicalisation, Uncontrolled Migration etc. PESCO provides a mechanism whereby Member States can work together to address these challenges. 26/02/2019WRA01600European Defence Agency 26/02/2019WRA0170037. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the specific role the Defence Forces will play in the proposed European Defence Agency Project - Military Search Capability Building; if the role is in line with the normal peacekeeping role; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9424/19] 26/02/2019WRA01800Minister of State at the Department of Defence (Deputy Paul Kehoe): In accordance with the Defence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, the Government and Dáil approval was received on 21st February 2019 for Ireland to participate in a European Defence Agency (EDA) project in relation to Military Search Capability Building. This Project will develop common processes, techniques and procedures for military search for participating Member States. The Defence Forces engage extensively in specialist military search activities, dealing with unexploded ordnance, improvised explosive devices and ensuring a safe and secure operating environment for military operations. Specialist Search and Clearance teams are regularly de- ployed on both home and overseas operations. There are currently two specialist search teams overseas operating in a peacekeeping capacity in UNDOF and UNIFIL. These teams are an es- sential force protection asset in overseas peace support operations. They conduct route search- es and area clearances in advance of vehicle or foot patrols to ensure that the area is free from unexploded ordnance, improvised explosive devices and mines. At home, the Defence Forces also provide this capability to An Garda Síochána in support of Aid to Civil Power operations during high profile visits by foreign VIPs and for searches for bodies and weapons.
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