Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 January 2026
207. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the Defence Forces will be reimbursed for equipment donations provided to Ukraine under the €100 million in bilateral funding for non-lethal military assistance; whether any such funding will be used to support National Development Plan 2026–2030 projects; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3807/26]
View answerIreland continues to support the use of the European Peace Facility (EPF), the EU instrument that facilitates the provision of military support to Ukraine. All of Ireland’s EPF contributions are directed solely towards non-lethal assistance.
At EU level, Hungary’s continuing blockage of Ukraine related support under the EPF limited Ireland’s ability to channel non-lethal military support to Ukraine through the EPF in 2025.
For this reason, and recognising the severity of Ukraine’s needs for military support to exercise its legitimate right to self-defence under Article 51 of the UN Charter, the Government took the decision to allocate €200 million to provide non-lethal military support to Ukraine bilaterally in 2025. This ensures that Ireland’s support can reach Ukraine quickly, at a critical moment for the country.
This decision enabled Ireland to provide non-lethal military equipment to Ukraine via two key channels.
The first was through procurement partnerships with European Union Member States already procuring military support for Ukraine through Ukrainian Industry. This supports the procurement of non-lethal elements of air defence which Ukraine has identified as a priority, in light of continuing and escalating Russian aerial bombardment and drone attack. The second was through the Ukraine Defence Contact Group De-mining and IT coalitions.
The €200 million was allocated as follows:
• Ukraine Defence Contact Group (UDCG) De-mining and IT coalitions - €20 million
• Procurement partnerships with EU Member States - €180 million
The €200 million was allocated to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. This funding was provided in addition to support, including equipment donations, provided separately through the Department of Defence.
