Defence Forces deployment in Kosovo set to be extended for further year

Defence Minister Micheál Martin is also seeking approval for troops to be trained to monitor undersea cables

Defence Minister Micheál Martin will seek to extend Ireland’s deployment of 13 Defence Forces members to the UN authorised International Security Presence in Kosovo (KFOR) until June 2025. File picture: Rolling News 

The Defence Forces is set to continue its deployment in Kosovo for a further year.

Tánaiste and Defence Minister Micheál Martin has also sought approval for troops to be trained to monitor undersea cables.

Mr Martin is due to seek approval for Ireland to take part in four separate “military capability development projects” with the Permanent Structured Co-operation (Pesco) and the European Defence Agency (EDA).

One Pesco development project is known as the Critical Seabed Infrastructure Project, which seeks to further develop surveillance, reconnaissance, and maritime response. It also aims to increase EU co-operation in monitoring and defending critical seafloor infrastructure, such as undersea cables, against threats such as terrorism and sabotage.

The project itself has been in place since last year, with seven other EU member states participating. It is due to be completed by 2035.

One of the EDA training programmes is around cyber defence, with it due to help train cyber defence experts and increase co-operation between EU states. With an expected approval of these plans by Cabinet, Mr Martin will also be required to seek the approval of the Dáil, with a motion to be brought after.

Mr Martin wil also ask for the Government to approve Ireland’s deployment of 13 Defence Forces members to the UN authorised International Security Presence in Kosovo (KFOR) until June next year. There are 13 Defence Forces personnel in the region currently, with Ireland having participated in the KFOR mission since 1999.

Meanwhile, Environment Minister Eamon Ryan is due to seek approval to allow homeowners availing of the defective concrete blocks grant scheme access to retrofitting grants of up to €37,000.

It is understood that the proposals are being brought forward due to existing anomalies which have prevented homeowners impacted by mica from accessing their second scheduled SEAI grant. 

He is also due to bring forward a plan to accelerate development of renewable energy. This accelerating renewable energy taskforce implementation plan contains over 70 actions on grids, markets, and planning to speed up delivery of 80% of wind energy by 2030. 

On planning, in particular, the proposal aims to stop renewable projects from being delayed by one to two years.

Mr Ryan will also bring forward new legislation that will streamline existing EPA licensing systems, to make it more transparent for businesses and industry.

Meanwhile, Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien will update his Cabinet colleagues on the ongoing progress on the action plan for An Bord Pleanála.

It is expected to detail that there are seven remaining actions to be carried out, which are due to be addressed by the new Planning and Development Bill, which will enter report stage in the Dáil on Tuesday.