Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 January 2026
469. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Defence for an update on the recent signing of the Memorandum of Understanding with Finland on defence co-operation; the plans for a formal working group to be established to discuss potential areas of collaboration; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2398/26]
View answerA key priority is to ensure that the capabilities of the Defence Forces are maintained, developed and enhanced in order to ensure that the Defence Forces can carry out all of the roles assigned to it by Government.
This includes the implementation of the Commission on the Defence Forces (CoDF) recommendations, particularly with regard to the enhancement of Defence Force Capabilities. The Commission's Report included a wide range of further recommendations in relation to capabilities and funding.
More specifically, capability 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. This is an ongoing iterative process. In this context, the principal aim of Government policy is to replace and upgrade, as required, existing capabilities in order to retain a flexible response for a wide range of operational requirements at home and overseas.
The Defence Policy Review 2024 sets out an approach to collaboration with other States. It provides that “No nation acting alone can address all of the current complex and dynamic security challenges affecting global and regional defence and security. Ireland accepts this practical reality and appreciates the need to broaden and deepen our levels of engagement on defence issues internationally. In this context, increased collaborative procurement and capability development with partners will also be a feature of Irish defence capability planning to increase our knowledge, subject matter expertise and skills. This approach will serve to improve our defence interoperability, to harness and enhance efficient value-for-money procurement and capability development at the EU level.”
It is in this overall context that engagement with Finland, and a number of other countries has been ongoing in recent months. Engagement with Finland has included meetings between Department officials and colleagues from the Finnish Ministry of Defence and the Finnish Ambassador. I can confirm that a Memorandum of Understanding in respect of Defence Material cooperation was signed in December at official level.
Engagement with Finnish colleagues has already begun with regard to planning the first formal Steering Group meeting which is expected to take place early in 2026. I look forward to the outcome of the work of the Steering Group, provided for under the MoU, and potential future co-operation in the defence procurement sphere between Finland and Ireland.
