Documents show arms lobbyists’ plans to influence defence policy despite public opposition
Internal documents from a lobbying group representing international arms manufacturers reveal plans to target politicians, influence policymakers and place articles in the media – despite acknowledging the Irish public is not interested in greater spending on arms.
The Irish Defence and Security Association (IDSA), which represents Lockheed Martin, SAAB and other weapons manufacturers, developed a strategy to influence Irish defence policy to benefit the arms industry before public opposition could mobilise, according to documents obtained by The Ditch.
Two documents – both distributed in February 2022 – set out the group’s concern about a narrow “window” in which to establish influence. “Defence (is a) potential toxic agenda item at next election,” a note says, later saying the Irish public has “no appetite” to increase investment in defence.
“The window to establish this association closes, we must move fast,” reads an internal analysis from February 2022. It also identified “ideological opposition to the ‘defence industry’” in government and opposition as a challenge and warned against being perceived as the “military industrial complex”.
The analysis also says "opportunities presented for Irish engagement in EU defence policy development potentially derailed or blocked by domestic political anxieties" – acknowledging that public opinion could hinder efforts to increase Irish involvement in EU defence programs.
Target: politicians, policymakers, and the public
In a separate document following this analysis, IDSA laid out a strategy aimed at targeting “politicians”, “policymakers” and the “public”. Tactics included creating “political distribution lists”, securing “letters of support” from politicians and lobbying for changes to security clearance rules that would benefit its members.
“We are a lobbying organisation that represents industry and research bodies,” reads the follow-up document. “We believe that we will have the biggest impact on behalf of members if we influence policy.”
The strategy documents identify the Azure Forum – a think tank that describes itself as “a non-partisan social enterprise providing strategic analysis and solutions to decision-makers globally” – as integral to developing IDSA.
The forum, according to the document, placed two articles in national media, connected IDSA with a NATO industry advisory group and arranged meetings with the Department of Defence.
Other listed services included getting IDSA on the lobbying register and sharing “briefing notes and letters” with “17 key stakeholders”.
The documents name UCD academic and IDSA co-founder Ben Tonra as offering “political guidance”. In March The Ditch reported Tonra facilitated a meeting between Irish businesses and Ukrainian military officials while also regularly appearing in the media to discuss the war in Ukraine – without it being disclosed that he is a lobbyist for international arms manufacturers.
IDSA’s strategy further outlines plans to use Ireland’s political position for commercial advantage. “Leverage Irish political card to access larger EU supply chain,” the document says while questioning Ireland’s €23 million annual commitment to the European Defence Fund (EDF) and adding, “stitch up as proof point?”
The group proposed building alliances with other smaller EU member states, suggesting it “find common cause with other smaller countries that have been ‘shafted’”, while noting the “US (is) unhappy at being excluded from EDF”.
Records also indicate IDSA believes government officials lack the expertise to effectively evaluate claims from major defense contractors. "Most DoDs don't have the experience to challenge Commission and Primes etc," the analysis states.
IDSA has filed 15 returns about its lobbying on Irish defence policy since its foundation in 2021 by UCD academic Ben Tonra, former soldier and VRAI CEO Pat O’Connor and Azure Forum for Contemporary Security Strategy executive director Caitríona Heinl.
IDSA regularly meets with government officials. Earlier this year The Ditch reported the group arranged a confidential meeting with senior staff from the Department of Defence at a hotel in Dún Laoghaire. Organisers told attendees to keep the meeting secret and avoid mentioning it online.
Many of its interactions with the state have been coordinated by its "operations manager" Oisín Green – who earlier this year The Ditch reported works as director of flight operations for ASL Airlines Ireland, a company that has illegally transported munitions to Israel.
IDSA and the Azure Forum have been contacted for comment.