Parliamentary questions

166. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Defence the operational parameters, commands, and rules of engagement under which British or French naval vessels will be permitted to patrol Irish waters during Ireland's upcoming EU Council Presidency; the current personnel deficit within the Irish Naval Service that necessitated this reliance on foreign assets; and the specific timeline for the d…

167. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which the National Security Strategy will support the development of a National Air Security Strategy. [43669/26]

168. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Defence the number of Defence Force personnel currently stationed at Kilworth Camp, Kilworth, County Cork, by rank; her plans to increase the operational capacity or scope of the camp; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43589/26]

169. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which the Defence Forces will be involved in security over the EU Presidency; to confirm that all security arrangements are in place which are under the remit of her Department for the commencement of the EU Presidency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43700/26]

170. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Defence the operational impact on the Defence Forces arising from current personnel shortages, particularly in relation to overseas peacekeeping commitments and domestic support to civil authorities; and the measures being taken to ensure capability is not diminished in the short term. [42808/26]

171. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Defence in the event that the Government removes the triple lock, the new military deployments that are planned that the Government believe would not receive approval from the UN; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43668/26]

172. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Defence if the Government is prepared to utilise EU funding to increase defence spending; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43410/26]

173. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Defence the specific date the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2026 will be brought to Cabinet; the legal mechanism by which the Bill will decouple Irish troop deployments from UN Security Council mandates while protecting military neutrality; her views on the legal advice received regarding the sudden forced withdrawal of Irish naval assets from EU operati…

174. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Defence the preparations that have been undertaken by her Department and the Defence Forces in advance of Ireland assuming the Presidency of the Council of the European Union; the additional personnel, funding, training, equipment and logistical resources being provided to support the security, ceremonial and operational requirements associated wit…

175. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Defence her views on concerns from members of the Defence Forces, on the publishing of names of Defence Force officers involved in sensitive operations under EU regulations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43409/26]

176. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Defence her views on the matter of no adjudicator being in place for the DF conciliation and arbitration scheme since June 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43736/26]

177. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Defence the total number of members of the Defence Forces currently serving on UN or UN mandated missions overseas; the total figure if the UNIFIL mission is excluded; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42792/26]

178. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Defence if she will report on her attendance at the PDFORRA conference in May; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42804/26]

179. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Defence to give an update on the armour modernisation programme; if vehicles have been identified for purchase; the most recent estimated cost of the modernisation effort; and the date by which the vehicles will be delivered to the Defence Forces. [43593/26]

180. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Defence to discuss the revised defence plan deadlines in the detailed implementation plan for the transformation of the Defence Forces, which have been pushed out again by Government, and which will result in major defence projects, such as the anti-drone CUAS system, being delayed again; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4374…

181. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Defence if she will outline Ireland’s continued participation in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43705/26]

349. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Defence if plans to introduce employment protections for private-sector reservists so they can fulfil their service commitments in the Reserve Defence Forces; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43883/26]

350. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Defence the number of riding instructor posts filled within Defence Forces equitation school; and the normally filled ranks of Defence Forces personnel for these posts. [41804/26]

351. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Defence the total amount spent by her Department on public procurement in 2025; to provide a breakdown, where available, by goods, services, works procurement expenditure, by expenditure procured directly by her Department and expenditure procured through central purchasing arrangements or frameworks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. […

352. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Defence whether her Department is fully compliant with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Model Publication Scheme Guidance, issued under section 8 of the Freedom of Information Act 2014, specifically the requirements under section D and section E (details supplied); to publish quarterly the contracts awarded above €25,000 (exclusive of V…

353. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Defence the number of bicycle shelters installed across the State by her Department on behalf of Government Departments, local authorities, and State agencies in each of the past five years; the total expenditure incurred in each year; the average cost per unit; and if she will provide a breakdown by Department, local authority and agency. [42255/26…

354. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Defence the total amount spent on IT systems and related projects by her Department and agencies under its remit in each of the past five years; to provide a detailed breakdown of all such projects, including original budget, final cost, and delivery timelines; the number and value of projects that exceeded their original budget or timeline; the num…

355. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Defence whether any additional investment is planned for infrastructure upgrades at Columb Barracks, Mullingar, including accommodation, training facilities, and energy efficiency measures. [42296/26]

356. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Defence the staff turnover rate in her Department in the years 2019 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42421/26]

357. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 55 of 2 December 2025, if she will provide an update on the actual and projected appointments under each stream identified to date in 2026, in tabular form. [42642/26]