Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 4 December 2025
185. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 235 of 18 November 2025, the engagement her Department has had at EU Council level regarding the derogations from the Habitats Directive and the Water Framework Directive within the European Defence Industry Programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [68875/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe first European Defence Industrial Strategy (EDIS) was published in March 2024. EDIS provides a long-term strategy to address deficiencies in EU defence readiness and applies lessons learnt from previous EU initiatives such the Act in Support of Ammunition Production (ASAP) and the European Defence Industry Reinforcement through common Procurement Act (EDIRPA). EDIS is supported by a financial arm, the European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP) which makes available €1.5 billion in EU funding for the period 2025-2027 and comprises a framework of measures to ensure the timely availability and supply of defence products.
EDIP was agreed by the Council and the European Parliament on 16 October 2025 following extensive negotiations by Member States in the Defence Industry Working Party, of which Ireland is a member.
In the absence of a traditional domestic defence industry there is no requirement to apply fast-track permit granting or to seek derogations from the Habitats Directive and the Water Framework Directive, and as such, no bilateral meetings or other engagements have taken place with the European Commission on these issues.
