Parliamentary questions

25. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the progress made in all the investigations into the death of a Defence Forces member who was killed on duty in the Lebanon (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60412/25]

26. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the steps being taken to improve gender balance in Defence Forces recruitment, given that only 5% of new recruits in 2024 were women; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60489/25]

27. Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the specific actions being undertaken to defend Ireland's maritime and undersea infrastructure. [60235/25]

28. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence for an update on the capital works projects currently under way at Stephens Barracks, Kilkenny; the estimated cost of each of these projects; when each project will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60259/25]

29. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the progress being made to update the Army Pensions Act 1923 following the case of a person (details supplied); if interim solutions are being considered for the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60411/25]

30. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the capacity in the Naval Service, in terms of personnel, specialist personnel and fleet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60510/25]

31. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the actions being taken to strengthen maritime and cyber surveillance to safeguard Ireland’s critical undersea infrastructure; the extent of cooperation with EU or NATO partners in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60463/25]

32. Deputy Aisling Dempsey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will ensure that the Defence Forces and his Department adhere to their responsibility of providing balancing statements for Defence Forces personnel on an annual basis, in line with signed agreements and Ombudsman for the Defence Forces recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60382/25]

33. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to provide an update on the Government’s plans to purchase fighter jets; the cost associated with the planned purchase of these jets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60494/25]

34. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the steps his Department is taking to improve pay and conditions of members of the Defence Forces. [60260/25]

35. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence for an update on the national maritime security strategy; the timeframe for delivery of the strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59445/25]

36. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the improvements the revised NDP will mean for the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60434/25]

37. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if spending under Vote 36 is within profile; if he expects an underspend in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60414/25]

38. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence his views on the matter of entry level cadet pay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60437/25]

39. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence his plans to expand the Naval Service capacity, outside of increasing the numbers of personnel. [59618/25]

40. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of Defence Forces’ personnel serving overseas at present; if the number is anticipated to change over the next 18 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60379/25]

41. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence his plans to increase officer cadet pay above the minimum wage, and to a level of at least that of all other inductees in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60384/25]

42. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the input his Department has made to the EU’s White Paper for European Defence – Readiness 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60380/25]

43. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to provide an update on his plans to introduce legislation abolishing the triple lock; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60397/25]

44. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the present enlistment in the Permanent Defence Force; the proposals to increase recruitment and improve retention levels in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60410/25]

45. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the establishment figure of the Defence Forces; the number of personnel required to meet Level of Ambition 2; the current number of personnel; and his target for recruitment each year under this Government. [60465/25]

46. Deputy Tony McCormack asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence his plans to upgrade or expand the Naval Service fleet, particularly to strengthen Ireland’s capacity in maritime security, fisheries protection, and search and rescue operations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58780/25]

47. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will report on his engagements with regard to the impact his proposed removal of the triple lock neutrality protection will have on Irish neutrality. [60472/25]

48. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of naval vessels that can currently simultaneously be put to sea; and the number required under level of ambition 2. [60466/25]

49. Deputy Tony McCormack asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the means by which the Naval Service is contributing to the protection of Ireland’s maritime territory and critical infrastructure, including subsea communication cables and offshore renewable energy installations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58781/25]