Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 February 2026
242. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Defence the reason the Government’s recently acquired counter drone technology will only monitor the area around Baldonnel airspace; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11531/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith Ireland assuming the Presidency of the EU from July this year, the delivery of Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS) capabilities for the Defence Forces has been prioritised.
Following Dáil approval on 3 December 2025 of a Supplementary Estimate which provided for the accelerated procurement of C-UAS capabilities for use by the Defence Forces, contractual arrangements have been put in place to enable delivery of these capabilities during the first half of this year. In line with these arrangements, training of military personnel is already underway and the further roll-out of the required capabilities will continue to be accelerated this year.
For operational security reasons, it would be inappropriate to make any further comment on this matter at this time.
