Minister of State for Defence to brief Committee on Ireland’s security cooperation with EU partners

The Joint Committee will seek an update on Ireland’s efforts to improve its national security and multinational cooperation as part of the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy.
Ireland has joined 24 European partners in a new EU coordination body, PESCO – short for Permanent Structured Cooperation – that brings together military personnel and pools financial resources in pursuit of shared security objectives. At a Foreign Affairs and Defence Council meeting last month in Brussels, Ireland agreed to participate in two PESCO initiatives: developing better systems for safeguarding harbours and maritime routes, and forging a new EU training centre for military cooperation.

“Committee members will be interested to hear how the state’s most recent commitments on military cooperation will remain in keeping with Ireland’s sovereignty and policy of neutrality,” Chairman Brendan Smith said. “The growing imperative to build a joint EU defence capability needs to be balanced carefully against Ireland’s traditional triple-lock approach that all military deployments overseas must be mandated by the United Nations and approved by both the government and the Dail.”

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