Joint procurement of weapons and military supplies with other EU nations is not a danger to neutrality and represents good value for money, the Tánaiste has said.
Micheál Martin, who is also Minister for Defence, was speaking after the Dáil approved Ireland’s participation in various European Defence Agency (EDA) projects which will allow for the joint purchasing of ammunition, soldiers’ equipment and Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) protective equipment.
The Department of Defence has said it is also examining participation on another newly agreed EU mechanism which will allow three or more countries to jointly order military equipment.
Those taking part in the scheme will be able to recoup some of the cost from a €300 million EU fund. The scheme is designed to replenish the military supplies of countries which have donated weapons to Ukraine and to shore up the EU’s defence industry.
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These common procurement schemes have received sharp criticism from People Before Profit and other neutrality campaigners who say it is a step towards EU militarism.
“It will not have consequences for neutrality,” Mr Martin said on Thursday. “It makes sense that we would join forces with others to procure ammunition, to procure equipment.”
He said joint procurement will save the State money and will increase interoperability with other EU states which Ireland may serve alongside on overseas missions.
“I think we should have no issue with common procurement, utilising the European Defence Agency, getting best value for money, and doing things in an organised and efficient way.”
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The Tánaiste was speaking at the launch of the Defence Forces open day which takes place in Farmleigh House in Dublin on July 29th as part of the organisation’s centenary celebrations.
“We’ll have lots of things to see on the day,” said Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Sean Clancy. “Everything from parachutists to divers to pilots to air traffic controllers to horses and everything within the wide spectrum that we have to offer in terms of career.”
The event will also feature a parachute jump from a helicopter by the Defence Forces’ Black Nights parachute team.
Mr Martin also reiterated the Government’s opposition to the use of cluster munitions following the announcement last week that the US is to provide the controversial weapons to Ukraine. Ireland was one of the lead nations in drafting the 2008 Convention on Cluster Munitions which banned the use or supply of the weapons. The Convention has been signed by over 100 countries but not the US, Russia or Ukraine.
“We’re opposed to the use of cluster munitions on the battlefield. That position hasn’t changed. And that will remain our position.”
Mr Martin said he recalls meeting civilians in various countries who suffered severe injuries from undetonated cluster munitions left over from war, including in children’s playgrounds.
He said the possibility of the US transporting cluster munitions does not arise. Foreign militaries are generally forbidden from transporting weapons through Irish airspace.
It is understood the US is capable of transporting munitions to Ukraine without having to stop off in Ireland or elsewhere.
