Minister McEntee signs Memorandum of Understanding with the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence

The Minister for Defence, Helen McEntee TD, and the United Kingdom Secretary of State for Defence, John Healey MP, have signed an update of the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Ireland and the UK on the enhancement of bilateral engagement on certain aspects of Defence and Security.

Speaking today, Minister McEntee said

“This agreement provides a framework for developing and furthering bilateral co-operation and relations between the Department of Defence and the UK Ministry of Defence.

It is appropriate that, after ten years, that we take the opportunity to refresh our Memorandum of Understanding and provide for a particular focus in such areas as Maritime, Cyber Defence and Security, Air (Information Sharing) and Joint Procurement initiatives”.

“Both the original and updated MoU also take into account matters such as training, education and staff exchanges, among other topics. This Agreement strengthens cooperation and exchanges involving both civil and military personnel.

There will be a continued focus on the already existing co-operation arrangements in the Defence area between Ireland and the UK on a more formal and transparent footing, which respects fully the differing policy positions and security arrangements of both countries and continues to underpin the longstanding and positive engagement that exists between the Defence Forces and the UK Armed Forces, particularly in the area of training and staff to staff meetings.”

Members of the Defence Forces attend a wide range of courses in the UK and members of the UK Forces have attended courses in Ireland, including in the UN School and on the Command and Staff Courses.

This refreshed MoU updates the version signed by the then Minister for Defence Simon Coveney and UK Defence Secretary Michael Fallon in 2015. Arrangements will be made to lay the Refreshed MoU before the Houses of the Oireachtas in due course.