Government to scrap approval requirements  for working with companies involved in defence 

Enterprise minister Peter Burke will bring a memo to Cabinet today to delete part of the Science and Technology Act 1987 requiring the IDA and Enterprise Ireland to secure Government approval prior to engaging or supporting Irish SMEs who may be involved in the defence sector. File picture: Collins

The Cabinet is set to scrap a requirement for Irish companies to secure Government approval before engaging with companies involved in the defence sector.

However, Government sources insisted last night that it “does not change or impact our defence policy”.

Enterprise minister Peter Burke will bring a memo to Cabinet today to delete part of the Science and Technology Act 1987 requiring the IDA and Enterprise Ireland to secure Government approval prior to engaging or supporting Irish SMEs who may be involved in the defence sector.

Sources described this part of the legislation as an “outdated constraint”, as they argued there is a “close overlap between defence and dual-use projects” in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, space systems, and advanced materials.

They also argued it would allow better access to EU innovation and industrial programmes, allowing Irish SMEs, researchers, and the tech sector to apply for funding opportunities.

Governments across Europe have committed to increasing spending on defence, and the changes will create more opportunities for Irish SMEs, it has been argued.

Separately, higher education minister James Lawless will brief Cabinet on the National Student Accommodation Strategy, which will aim to deliver 42,000 student beds.

This will be done by using State-owned campus lands and increased private investment. It will introduce nomination agreements, which guarantee universities access to beds, while developers finance and build projects.

Elsewhere, public expenditure minister Jack Chambers will bring two circulars to Cabinet, aiming to speed up critical infrastructure delivery.

‘Principles for Better Regulation of Critical Infrastructure’ will introduce strict timelines, guidance, and the use of “parallel processes” for public sector bodies responsible for the delivery of housing, energy, water, and transport.

A second circular on “rapid response” will establish a new cross-government mechanism to respond to court judgments that may impact future infrastructure projects.

Senior officials and the Office of the Attorney General will convene following the issuing of any judgment likely to affect infrastructure delivery to quickly assess the implications and implement “swift, co-ordinated responses”.

• Louise Burne is Political Correspondent.