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Because Department of Defence officials understood the risk that arms manufacturers could start setting the terms of Irish defence procurement, they encouraged Helen McEntee to give the keynote at an arms lobbyist’s conference.
McEntee was due to speak at the event but couldn’t because of a scheduling conflict. The department continues its quarterly meetings with arms lobbyist the Irish Defence and Security Association (IDSA) whose members include international arms manufacturers Lockheed Martin, Saab and KNDS.
The Ditch has previously reported that IDSA’s internal documents outlined plans to influence defence policy despite public opposition. Those documents describe the issue as “toxic,” acknowledging the Irish public has “no appetite” for higher arms spending.
'The Ditch has previously reported on ‘closed-door’ meetings held by IDSA**'**
Irish Defence and Security Association directors Caitríona Heinl and Pat O’Connor wrote to Helen McEntee’s private secretary, on 11 March and invited the minister to deliver the keynote opening address at IDSA’s annual conference on 14 May.
On March 12, McEntee’s secretary forwarded the invitation to colleagues.
They “would welcome” the opportunity for McEntee to address the lobbyist’s conference.“Attendance provides an opportunity to shape the conversation on capability development at a time when industry is actively pushing for clarity and direction,” he wrote.
“It lets us set our own narrative before industry begins defining expectations around procurement models and engagement structures,” replied one department staff member.
The officials involved in the email chain had met IDSA in person a month earlier on 11 February.
A department official wrote a draft reply accepting the invitation to the event – though he avoided a request by the group for a pre-meeting with the minister.
“I note the range of issues you have highlighted regarding capability development, industry engagement, and Ireland’s position within the evolving European defence industrial landscape,” the draft reply reads.
"While these matters are the subject of ongoing consideration within government, your perspectives and the insights of the wider IDSA membership are valued.”
The conference, it added, “will provide an important platform to address some of the themes you have raised”.
Officials also drafted a reply declining the invite, explaining McEntee’s absence was due to a scheduling conflict. “I would welcome the opportunity to engage with IDSA at a future point and look forward to continued constructive interaction between the association and the department,” it says.
The Ditch has previously reported on “closed-door” meetings held by IDSA where attendees got informal access to senior officials from the Defence Forces and Department of Defence.
IDSA and the Department of Defence have been contacted for comment.
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