LAST UPDATE | 28 Jan

THE TÁNAISTE HAS been warned that EU “tolerance” and understanding for Ireland’s neutral stance may become less, a Department of Defence document reveals. 

The observation is contained in an inadequately redacted portion of the ministerial briefing document given to incoming Minister for Defence Simon Harris which was published yesterday.

The document has a number of redactions in it, particularly around connections to NATO, EU security and the awarding of certain contracts. The report conceals these aspects from the public but The Journal has obtained access.  

The most startling warning is centred around Ireland and its relationship with Europe in the midst of a heightened security environment. 

In a section entitled “EU Defence Industry” the briefing document looked at the changing atmosphere in Europe as member states close to Ukraine and Russia increase their military spend and participation in mutual defence strategies.  

It also mentioned how previously neutral states have now joined NATO as a key point of friction for Ireland. 

The redacted element states: “This is the challenging context facing Ireland in terms of our engagement with the EU on defence matters. Hitherto this, Ireland’s position, and those of other militarily neutral states, has been accepted.

“However, the changing geopolitical climate, the accession of the previously militarily neutral states of Finland and Sweden into NATO, and the resulting increased focus on defence industry and wider defence matters will likely result in a lower tolerance or understanding of this position into the future, as set out above.”

US strategic pivot

In another section looking at NATO alignment the Minister is warned that the US will likely no long be a support for EU defence. 

“Additionally, the US’s strategic pivot towards Asia, as indicated by the 2018 National Defence Strategy and the Biden administration’s priorities, allied to concerns around the incoming US president’s commitment to NATO, suggests potential limitations in US support for European defence,” the report states. 

The redacted section goes on to say this US shift will reinforce “the need for an autonomous and cohesive European defence approach, as regularly voiced by France, which has regularly pushed for the EU to be strategically autonomous in the area of defence over the last number of years”. 

In a section looking at Ireland’s EU Presidency in 2026 there is a warning that there needs to be great care taken on the upcoming budget negotiations especially as it will be central to fund the upcoming EU White Paper on Defence. 

The report warns that the Irish EU Presidency will come during the negotiations for the EU Budget. It said that there will likely be a “considerable focus on defence initiatives”. 

In a redacted section the Department officials state: “The upcoming Presidency will mark a major shift in terms of the Department’s input into driving and delivering the EU’s security and defence policy when Ireland will be required to act as an honest broker across policy areas where Ireland has displayed considerable sensitivities heretofore.”

In an other redacted area the Department sought to conceal a number of Irish companies and universities benefiting from the European Defence Fund. 

When unredacted the companies are revealed to be NUI Galway, NUI Maynooth as well as Mbryonics and Applied Intelligence Analytics.

“In 2022, there were four successful applications: Applied Intelligence Analytics, Research Driven Solutions, VRAI and Mbryonics.

“In 2023, there was six successful Irish entities: Nurenda Technologies, Ubotica, Applied Intelligence Analytics, ISD Aerospace, Mbryonics and Rigr AI. The closing date for the 2024 programme was the 6 November.”

The document warns that the lack of a security clearance system for contractors is hampering Irish high-technology manufacturing businesses from getting access to lucrative defence contracts.

The lengthy document outlines several key challenges such as the continuing retention and recruitment struggles of the Irish Defence Forces.

It also warns that military authorities state that a lack of training capacity in the Defence Forces is hampering a dramatic increase in “inductions” to the services. 

The document again, states that there will be a preparation of a National Security Strategy – work that began in 2019.