146. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Defence if she will report on the planned investment in the Naval Service under the revised NDP. [53899/26]

A key priority for me as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the current operational capability of the Defence Forces is maintained and further developed. In the context of an evolving geopolitical and security environment, it is essential that Ireland continues to enhance the capabilities and infrastructure of the Defence Forces, including those required to safeguard our maritime domain.

Capability priorities for the Defence Forces including the Naval Service are considered as part of the capability development planning processes which include planning cycles for equipment and infrastructure.

The Equipment Development Plan manages requirements for the immediately term and recognises the need to maintain and upgrade military capabilities having regard to emerging priorities, operational requirements and changes in technology. There is a significant body of work currently underway to ensure that the Defence Forces have the required capabilities with equipment projects in various stages of the project lifecycle.

For example, one of the key projects underway that will contribute to maritime security relates to subsea domain awareness. Investment in sonar capability is the first project within that new programme which will see the Naval Service acquire sonar capability which will be used to detect objects near cables and pipelines in Irish territorial waters and the EEZ. This new acquisition will enhance awareness below the surface, contributing to the overall maritime picture available to Naval Service and the wider Defence Forces.

Work has also commenced on Sonobuoys, the second project within that subsea programme. This project will result in a new Air Corps capability which can be used to detect, localise, identify, and track objects in the Irish EEZ. This capability will be used in conjunction with the new towed sonar capability planned for delivery in 2027, and also with existing Air Corps assets.

For equipment requirements in the short, medium and long term, my Department is developing a Capability Development Programme, that will identify, at a high level, the capability requirements for the Defence Forces out to 2040. This programme will inform future decisions on the prioritisation and development of capabilities, including those in the maritime domain, in support of the strategic Level of Ambition 2 set out in the Defence Policy Review, the Maritime Security Strategy and the objectives outlined in the Strategic Framework and the updated Detailed Implementation Plan for the Commission on the Defence Forces. I expect this Programme to be finalised in 2026.

Once finalised, the Programme will be implemented through three rolling four-year Capability Development Plans, the first of which will cover the period 2028 to 2032. Capabilities will then be developed and acquired in line with available capital allocations under the National Development Plan. This structured and phased approach will guide future investment decisions, including in relation to naval vessels, equipment and enabling systems, as part of the overall development of Defence Forces capability.

In terms of Infrastructure Investment, since 2020, the value of capital infrastructure works completed at Haulbowline Naval Base is €20.6m. The most notable project completed was the accommodation refurbishment of Block 4 in April 2025 at a cost of €8M. There is currently €15.4m worth of works under construction which include Modular Accommodation, Block 9 refurbishment and the Dredging and Removal of a Dock Gate. A significant level of investment is planned for Haulbowline with numerous projects at various stages of procurement and design such as the Upgrade of the Old Comms Building – Cadet Accommodation, refurbishment and upgrade of Block 6 &10, a new Gym and the remediation of the ISPAT site.

In order to further progress development of Defence Forces infrastructure more quickly and to increase economies of scale, it is planned to develop a series of masterplans for each installation to future-proof for the next 20-30 years. This approach will identify from the outset the infrastructure requirements in line with capability development for each installation with an associated prioritisation of projects and a phased timeline for delivery.

These plans will dovetail with developments identified under the current Infrastructure Development Plan and will also layout requirements for the years from 2027 onwards. The masterplan process for the Naval Base, Haulbowline is underway and is expected to be completed shortly.