Parliamentary questions

261. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Defence the most up-to-date contact list for queries from Oireachtas members to agencies under her Department, in tabular form. [55577/26]

262. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Defence the progress made in her examination of the decision of the European Committee of Social Rights, published on 9 February 2026, which found that the prohibition on overtime across the Defence Forces and the lack of adequate provision for payment of public holiday premiums breach the European Social Charter; whether she plans to introduce…

263. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Defence whether any decision arising from the decision of the European Committee of Social Rights of 9 February 2026 on overtime and public holiday premiums will apply to all ranks of the Defence Forces, including cadets, enlisted personnel and commissioned officers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55717/26]

264. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Defence when the electronic recording of time and attendance will be operational in all military installations, in view of the finding of the European Committee of Social Rights that the absence of such a system makes it impossible to determine the overtime actually worked; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55718/26]

265. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Defence whether the contract for Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems capabilities, which her Department stated in December 2025 was in final negotiations to conclude before the end of the year in advance of Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the European Union, has been concluded; whether these systems are now operational; and if she will make …

266. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Defence the status of the Military Radar Programme announced on 17 December 2025, including the long-range land-based primary radar, ground based air defence and maritime radar elements; whether the government-to-government negotiations with France have concluded; whether the roll-out remains on schedule to commence in 2026 with full delivery b…

267. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Defence the number and proportion of staff who have completed AI-related training programmes since January 2024; the levels of training, introductory or advanced use; to confirm the associated expenditure on each level of training provided, by her Department and public body; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55870/26]

268. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Defence if her Department can report on the amount paid to the private contractor that is supplying an out of hours ATC service to the Irish Air Corps at Casement Aerodrome in quarter one of 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55912/26]

269. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Defence if her Department can outline the number of aircraft movements, including take off and landings, either by fixed or rotary wing aircraft, that have been supervised out of hours by flight information services officers under the contact supplying an out of hours ATC service to the Irish Air Corps at Casement Aerodrome in quarter one of 2026; and if…

270. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Defence if the out of hours ATC service that is being provided by a private contractor at Casement Aerodrome has the authority to provide instrument approach clearances to aircraft that wish to land in Casement Aerodrome who are flying under instrument flying regulations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55914/26]

271. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Defence the steps she is taking to improve retention in the Defence Forces; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55990/26]

272. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 341 of 13 May 2025, if she is aware that members of the Defence Forces carried out military exercises at St. Brigid's Campus, Ballinasloe, during the early hours of 15 and 16 July 2026; whether advance notice of these exercises was provided to residents and businesses in the vicinity; if An Garda Síochá…

273. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Defence to provide an update on the work programme of the Office of Veterans Affairs; the progress made to date on the development of a National Veterans Policy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56458/26]

274. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Defence the timeline envisaged for the development and publication of a National Veterans Policy; the stages of consultation planned with veterans' organisations and other stakeholders; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56459/26]

275. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Defence if the Government is planning to imminently dismantle the Triple Lock, the legal mechanism that regulates the deployment of Irish troops overseas (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56557/26]

276. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Defence the number of publicly owned buildings that were vacant on the latest date available, broken down by purpose and/or last previous use; the length of time each property has been vacant; the reason for vacancy in each case; the amount spent to maintain the property since it was first left vacant in each of the years 2020 to date, in tabular form; an…

277. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Defence the number of WTE IT specialists at the grade of Higher Executive Officer that are based within her Department as of 16 July 2026, in tabular form. [56915/26]

278. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Defence the total value of non-compliant public procurement identified within her Department and in bodies under the aegis of her Department in 2025 and to date in 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57203/26]

279. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Defence the usage of artificial intelligence within her Department; the categories of usage; the usage of artificial intelligence within any bodies under the aegis of her Department; the categories of usage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57221/26]

280. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 273 of 10 June 2025, if she will provide an update on the Irish Defence Force’s army force design process; when it will be completed; when will the results be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57271/26]

281. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Defence the number of Naval Service Vessels assigned to Haulbowline that were operationally available on the first of each month during 2025 and to date 2026; the number unavailable due to maintenance, personnel shortages or refit work during the same timeframe; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57453/26]

282. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Defence the number of maritime surveillance operations undertaken in the waters off County Cork in relation to critical offshore and subsea infrastructure during 2025 and to date in 2026; the assets employed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57454/26]

283. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Defence the number of occasions on which foreign naval or state-operated vessels were monitored within Ireland's Exclusive Economic Zone off the Cork coastline during 2025 and to date 2026; the nationality of the vessels concerned; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57455/26]

284. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Defence the number of requests received from Cork County Council for Defence Forces support during severe weather and flooding events in each of the past five years; the number granted; the personnel deployed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57456/26]

285. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Defence for an update on the progress of the Multi Role Vessel Programme in the past 12 months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57953/26]