Parliamentary questions

306. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Defence the recruitment programme for the Permanent Defence Force for 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73615/25]

307. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Defence the progress to date in upgrading accommodation for members of the Permanent Defence Force; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73619/25]

308. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Defence the progress to date in implementing the recommendations of the report of the commission on the Defence Forces; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73620/25]

309. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Defence if further consideration will be given to the re-opening of Dún Uí Néill Barracks, Cavan, as a forward operating base as that region has a long land border with a neighbouring jurisdiction, taking into account that in the past the presence locally of army personnel played a very important role in the security of the State, and the much chang…

310. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Defence if, in view of the lack of an army barracks in the central border area, if further consideration will be given to the re-opening of Dún Uí Néill, Cavan, as an army barracks; taking into account the recommendation of the commission on the Defence Forces that the structure of the army be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter…

116. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Defence the contracted delivery date for the recently announced €19 million counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) capability; whether a supplier has been selected; and whether the system is contractually committed to be operational before Ireland assumes the EU Presidency in 2026. [72597/25]

117. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Defence when and where Defence Forces personnel will be trained to operate the new counter-UAS capability; the number of personnel that will be trained; and whether this training will be completed ahead of the EU Presidency. [72598/25]

118. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Defence to outline the current counter-drone capability within the Defence Forces; and whether additional support from partner states is expected to be required for major events in 2026. [72599/25]

119. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Defence whether an open tender was conducted for the procurement of four H145M helicopters announced in January 2025; and if not, the justification for the procurement method used. [72600/25]

120. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Defence to confirm the date the sonar capability contract was signed; and whether this aligns with earlier public announcements regarding the project. [72601/25]

121. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Defence for an update on the primary radar project, including the original planned delivery timeline and the current expected completion date. [72602/25]

122. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Defence to outline the role played by the Defence Forces and Civil Defence during Storm Bram. [72656/25]

123. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Defence the progress made on recruitment and retention; and whether training capacity is to be expanded. [72657/25]

124. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Defence to outline the current schedule of planned capital works at Custume Barracks, Athlone. [72658/25]

125. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Defence the current staffing strength for all units based in Custume Barracks; and the impact of staffing shortfalls on training and operations. [72659/25]

126. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Defence whether any assessment has been carried out of the feasibility or strategic implications of relocating or redeveloping Custume Barracks in Athlone. [72660/25]

127. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Defence the measures her Department is taking to ensure the budget for the Reserve Defence Force will be sufficient for the coming year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [72679/25]

128. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Defence if she will address the concerns of Reserve Defence Force members regarding recent changes to reservist payments, including the removal of payment for routine activities and the reduced effective daily rate after taxation; the impact these changes are having on participation, recruitment and retention within the Reserve; the steps that wi…

85. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Defence the capacity of the Defence Forces and security forces generally to respond to drone incursions in Irish aerospace and to respond to reported suspicious drone activity near Dublin Airport during the visit of President Zelenskyy. [72050/25]

86. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Defence to provide an update on the drone activity during the visit of President Zelenskyy; to give clarity on the decision to not intercept these drones; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [72153/25]

87. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Defence further to recent Dáil debates, her views on past health and safety measures in the Air Corps; the actions she intends to take to support former aircraft maintenance and ancillary personnel; whether she intends to ensure their medical needs are met; and the other supports that can be offered to the category as a whole. [72051/25]

88. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Defence for an update on the capacity in the Naval Service, in terms of personnel, specialist personnel and fleet; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [72052/25]

89. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Defence her views on the reported drone sightings in north Dublin during President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's visit to Ireland; and the measures in place to detect, deter and disable unauthorised drone activity during high profile visits from international dignitaries; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [72320/25]

90. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Defence to confirm her engagement with the UN Security Council on the plan to withdraw UN peacekeeping troops from Lebanon, with recent accusations from Israel on alleged rearming of Hezbollah; the number of complaints UNIFIL has made to the IDF on its military fire on UN peacekeeping troops in Lebanon; and if she will make a statement on the mat…

91. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Defence the number of Defence Forces personnel required under level of ambition 2; the current establishment figure; and the current number within each service. [71896/25]