Parliamentary questions

27. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the commitment the Government have given to increase defence spending; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37866/25]

28. Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the strength of the Naval Service fleet; if there is an adequate number of personnel in the service to keep all ships operational when needed; the number of ships that have been docked at Haulbowline for more than six-months in the past three years; the exact duration that they have been docked; and the reason they have been doc…

29. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence his plans for continuing engagement with the UN Under-Secretary General for Peace Operations, Mr. Jean-Pierre Lacroix, for a further extension to the Security Council’s current renewal of the UNIFIL mandate for 12 months, to 31 August 2026, given the ongoing volatile situation in Lebanon; and if he will make a statement on th…

30. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will consider the introduction of service commitment schemes to retain key specialist functions within the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49302/25]

31. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to provide an update on payments and remuneration for members of the Reserve Defence Forces; and to explain the changes that have taken place in recent years. [49214/25]

32. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to provide an update on the planned new training centre for the Army Ranger Wing of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48911/25]

33. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence for an update on the operational functionality of Baldonnell Aerodrome given the recent issues with air traffic control personnel. [48979/25]

34. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to provide an update on the current work ongoing with the British government regarding a memorandum of understanding for Ireland's defence, which is to be updated in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48094/25]

35. Deputy Tony McCormack asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence his response to the recent decision by the UN Security Council in relation to the UNIFIL Mandate. [48983/25]

36. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the circumstances surrounding the collapse of the Army nursing service; the decision to outsource to private contractors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49294/25]

37. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the process for the awarding of historical IRA medals to families of volunteers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49282/25]

38. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the means by which he is examining incentives and structural changes to make a military career accessible to a wider range of candidates, and to encourage existing personnel to extend their military careers, including rewarding long service and broadening eligibility criteria. [48991/25]

39. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to provide details of the Government’s decision to remove the triple lock; if the UN General Assembly can sanction peacekeeping missions by bypassing a veto at the UN Security Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49268/25]

40. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the proposals there are to upgrade and-or provide new accommodation and facilities, including living accommodation, for the permanent Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49234/25]

41. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if the provision of accommodation for Defence Force members is being pursued to improve recruitment and retention of members; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49115/25]

42. Deputy Shay Brennan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the measures he is taking regarding the further development of the Reserve Defence Force. [48993/25]

43. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the actions taken to improve retention in the Defence Forces. [49210/25]

44. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the strength of the permanent Defence Forces as of 31 August 2025, or the latest date available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48978/25]

45. Deputy Edward Timmins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the progress at securing a primary radar system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49099/25]

46. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will report on Ireland's engagement with EU partners on defence innovation, including the development of radar and AI technologies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49098/25]

47. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the extent to which his Department owns property at Knockalisheen, Meelick, County Clare; the purpose for which this land is currently used; and his future intentions for this land bank. [48941/25]

48. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence for an update on the Programme for Government commitment to a nationwide programme for transition year and third level students, with a view to achieving the target of 11,500 personnel and better representation of women at all levels of the Defence Forces. [48990/25]

49. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if the Defence Forces or his Department is keeping data on the number of people leaving the Defence Forces, by service, rank, and when they are leaving; if so, how far back this data goes; if it has been analysed to better understand the reason members are leaving the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter.…

50. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the level of specialist technician recruitment to the Naval Service over the past three years; the positions filled in that period; if he satisfied that there is currently an adequate number of technicians to ensure the proper functioning of the naval fleet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49092/25]

51. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the interaction he and his Department have had in relation to the changes in the UNIFIL mission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48884/25]