Parliamentary questions

141. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Defence the date by which she will publish the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2026; the Oireachtas Committee before which it will be discussed at Committee Stage; and if her Department intends to request that pre-legislative scrutiny be waived. [43592/26]

142. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Defence to provide an update on the new Joint Cyber Defence Command strategy; the number of personnel currently employed within the command; the recruitment efforts to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42217/26]

143. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Defence if she will provide an update on the current situation in South Lebanon; the current activities and conditions of the Defence Forces on the UNIFIL mission; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43531/26]

144. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Defence to discuss her preparations for the security dimensions of the EU Presidency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43738/26]

145. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Defence the plans in place for a new east coast naval base; if Louth is under consideration for its location; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42810/26]

146. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Defence to provide an update on the work undertaken on protecting Ireland's critical maritime infrastructure which is strategic objective number two in the National Maritime Security Strategy 2026 - 2030; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43662/26]

147. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Defence the position regarding any initiatives that seek to encourage both recruitment and retention of personnel in the armed forces; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43421/26]

148. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Defence her views on whether the proposed relocation and expansion of the port of Galway provides an opportunity for the Defence Forces to establish a new naval base at the port; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43663/26]

149. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Defence the interim measures being implemented to monitor and secure Irish airspace between now and the fast-tracked 2028 delivery date of the Military Radar Programme; the reasons for the recent decision by the National Security and Defence Policy Branch to pause the broader National Aviation Security Strategy; and if she will make a statement on t…

150. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Defence to report on any progress made in the investigations into the death of a Defence Forces member who was killed on duty in Lebanon (details supplied); when the independent post-incident inquiry will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43530/26]

151. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Defence the current security situation facing the Irish Defence Force personnel deployed with UNIFIL in Lebanon; the steps being taken to strengthen force protection measures to ensure their safety with current security incidents in the region; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43699/26]

152. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Defence if she is aware of concerns regarding the implementation of supplemental military service arrangements which commence on 1 June 2026 (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42216/26]

153. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Defence the resources currently available to the Defence Forces for the protection of strategic maritime infrastructure, defence ports and the monitoring of activity within Ireland’s territorial waters; whether any additional maritime surveillance, naval or defence capabilities are planned or under development; whether capability gaps have been ide…

154. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Defence for an update on the implementation of the National Maritime Security Strategy 2026–2030, particularly in relation to measures to secure and protect Ireland’s undersea communications cables; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43701/26]

155. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Defence her Department’s assessment on the greatest obstacles to retention in the Defence Forces; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43411/26]

156. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Defence if the proposed legislative changes with regard to international peacekeeping missions by the Defence Forces will stipulate that any such deployment by Óglaigh na hÉireann will operate for the purposes of peacekeeping, conflict prevention and strengthening international security consistent with the principles of the United Nations Charter; an…

157. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Defence for an update on her Department's securing of medium lift helicopter, in terms of being able to monitor the seas at speed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43737/26]

158. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Defence for a report on investment in Aiken Barracks since 2020; if the Defence Sectoral Plan to 2030 will also involve investment in the barracks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42811/26]

159. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Defence the total numbers in the permanent Defence Forces as of 1 June 2026; the way this compares to the end of 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42799/26]

160. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Defence her response to the failure of the United Nations Security Council to renew its mandate for the EU Mediterranean naval mission, Operation Irini. [42793/26]

161. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Defence if she is exploring options for a forward operating base on the west coast for the Naval Service in line with the Natonal Maritime Security Strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42812/26]

162. Deputy Aisling Dempsey asked the Minister for Defence if the proposed legislative changes with regard to international peacekeeping missions by the Defence Forces will stipulate that nothing in the legislation shall be construed as authorising the State to become a member of an international organisation of which it is not already a member; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [427…

163. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Defence her views on the 6,000 personnel who are waiting to be paid €3.7 million in claims under local bargaining agreements, which are agreements that are already made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43739/26]

164. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Defence if she is satisfied with current levels of recruitment and retention in the permanent Defence Forces; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42805/26]

165. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Defence the total capital expenditure allocated for the fast-tracked procurement of Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS) ahead of Ireland’s EU Council Presidency; the number of Defence Forces personnel who have completed operational training on these anti-drone systems to date; and if these systems will remain permanently deployed to protect crit…