Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 September 2025
34. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to provide an update on the current work ongoing with the British government regarding a memorandum of understanding for Ireland's defence, which is to be updated in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48094/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra77. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the discussions he and his Department have had with the UK Government on defence co-operation; what is likely to be included in an upcoming MOU (Memorandum of Understanding); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49094/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 34 and 77 together.
A Memorandum of Understanding on aspects of defence cooperation between Ireland and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was signed by the then Minister for Defence Simon Coveney and UK Defence Secretary Michael Fallon in 2015. This MoU provides a framework for developing and furthering bilateral co-operation and relations between the Department of Defence and the UK Ministry of Defence.
The MoU takes into account matters such as training, education, staff exchanges, procurement and sharing of information among other topics. It envisages cooperation and exchanges involving both civil and military personnel. The signing of the MoU placed already existing co-operation arrangements in the Defence area between Ireland and the UK on a more formal and transparent footing, while fully respecting the differing policy positions and security arrangements of both States.
This MoU further underpins the longstanding engagement that exists between the Defence Forces and the UK Armed Forces, particularly in the area of training and staff to staff meetings. Members of the Defence Forces attend a wide range of courses in the UK and members of the UK Forces have attended courses in Ireland, including in the UN School and on the Command and Staff Courses. The most recent military staff to staff talks were held in the UK Ministry of Defence in London in October 2024.
2025 marks the tenth anniversary of the Memorandum of Understanding, and in a joint statement following the UK-Ireland Summit in March of this year, Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Prime Minister Keir Starmer committed to “review and update the Memorandum of Understanding on Defence by our next Summit in this series” to “reflect the rebuilding and strengthening of our partnership”.
Discussions have taken place at official level between the two ministries in London recently, and work will progress over the coming months to update this agreement.
