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thank Deputy Ó Laoghaire for raising this issue. As he rightly said, there is huge potential in further expanding the Reserve Defence Force and the already incredible work done by its members. I remain committed to bolstering the numbers in the Reserve Defence Force. I am very much … increase its strength is fundamental to the regeneration of the force. The strength of the RDF is a key focus of the Defence Forces office of Reserve affairs. It was a welcome development to have that dedicated office established. It was a recommendation from the Commission

recent weeks, we have heard lots of big speeches, announcements, lofty promises and big commitments. I welcome that the Defence Forces are finally getting some attention. I live in a city that has a large number of Defence Forces personnel who work in Collins Barracks and Haulbowline. They … talk and small follow-through. The Tánaiste says it is important that we are seen to be increasing the capacity of the Defence Forces. It should not be about being seen to do anything. It is about making sure - in the interests of the men and women

There is a sense of a lack of ambition with respect to redeveloping the Reserve Defence Force. Typically, reserve defence forces are a critical element of recruitment to permanent defence forces. We are at critically low levels. Indeed, the Commission on the Future of the Defence Forces reflected … fact that the Reserve Defence Force is important in terms of surge capacity as required. That is not remotely possible at present. There is hardly another reserve defence force in Europe whose membership is a fraction of that of the permanent army. In many cases it is multiples

with €250 a week. That is simply unbelievable. It is not acceptable. Firefighters have called for a supplementary occupational pension, along with the Defence Forces, the Garda, the Dublin Fire Brigade and the Prison Service. It was promised by Fianna Fáil. It should have been in the programme … retention of the Curragh fire service and also investment in the Curragh training camp. It is the jewel in the crown of the Defence Forces. Speaking of the Defence Forces, we need to ensure retention in the Defence Forces. This has been mentioned by colleagues previously. The Curragh

Curragh Camp is the jewel in the crown of the Defence Forces, as I and many Members of this House and the Upper House have said many times. The first thing anyone who drives through the Curragh Camp will notice is dereliction and the closed premises … plans, as the incoming Minister for Defence, to ensure the Curragh Camp survives and becomes the jewel in the crown of the Defence Forces again. With regard to married quarters and encouraging members of the Defence Forces to continue in the Defence Forces, I am currently dealing with

Ranelagh Gaels on a number of occasions in recent months. I thank him for the work he has been doing with them. The Defence Forces facilities that we have are, of course, primarily for our Defence Forces but where it makes sense to make parts of that available … then we should do that as well. The Deputy will be aware there is a long-standing policy of my Department and the Defence Forces of allowing, where possible and appropriate, third parties to access Defence Forces facilities and properties to support local communities. It also raises

this constructively in return. The health and well-being of the men and women working in the Air Corps and the wider Defence Forces is of the utmost priority for me, both as Tánaiste and Minister for Defence. I take my responsibility to those who commit to military … service to the State very seriously indeed and I know the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces and the Secretary General of my Department are with me on this position. As Deputy Ó Laoghaire is no doubt aware, a number of cases are before the courts alleging

Curragh Camp, which he knows well. I, too, appreciate the historical importance of the Curragh Camp to many members of the Defence Forces and their families. I am sympathetic to the sense of attachment many serving and former members of the Defences Forces have to the camp … longer a location where significant numbers of people live, particularly families and dependants. Regarding the proposals by the military authorities to close the Defence Forces Training Centre, DFTC, fire station, the military authorities have been engaged with officials from my Department on this matter since 2023. In December

hÉireann and the people of Ireland to know that as Minister for Defence, I am deeply committed to the transformation of the Defence Forces into a modern, fit-for-purpose organisation to defend the State and meet the challenges of today and the future. Across Europe, all countries … much-needed capabilities. The Government has set out a future pathway to continue these expenditure increases. The Commission on the Future of the Defence Forces was established on foot of a commitment in the programme for Government of 2020. The commission's report, as the Deputy knows

that ending the triple lock would have an inherent impact on our military neutrality. It would open the door for members of our Defence Forces to participate in foreign conflicts that lack the protection of the blue beret and a United Nations mandate and that would compromise … world, of course we need to discuss Ireland’s defence and security. We know that military neutrality comes at a cost but our Defence Forces are desperately under-resourced. As the former line Minister the Taoiseach must be embarrassed that members of the Defence Forces have reported having

have heard a lot about defence spending in recent weeks but the truth on the ground is that the Defence Forces are in a precarious position because of Government underfunding. We currently have fewer than 8,000 members of the Permanent Defence Force. This is well below establishment … mind the 11,000 recommended under stage 2 in the report of the Commission on the Future of the Defence Forces. Morale is very low. Does the Tánaiste regret the neglect of the Defence Forces by the Government and how does he intend to ensure that we have

Tánaiste also has a clear understanding of the suffering people endured. In terms of the range of skills that is available to the Defence Forces, one area that comes to mind is medical and support skills for people who are medically vulnerable. There certainly is a sense … certain locations, when there was no power, that medical assistance was needed or would have been required and the Defence Forces might have been in a position to provide that. The Tánaiste put his finger on it when he said that the Defence Forces came

investments the Government has made under the infrastructure development plan, IDP, in Stephens Barracks, Kilkenny. I hope to visit it shortly. The Defence Forces IDP sets out a programme of anticipated project delivery based on the achievement of the high-level goals as set out in White Paper … programme reflects the complex environment in which the Defence Forces operate and the corresponding need for appropriate infrastructure to provide accommodation and training for personnel, and maintenance and storage of equipment for land, sea and airborne operational requirements. The plan, which was launched in 2020 and was agreed

into forestry to try to resolve the situation, pulling wires in and trying to carry equipment in. There was no sign of the Defence Forces. The Ministers here last night thanked the Defence Forces. If members of the Defence Forces assisted with this, at least we could split … programme for disaster that this Government is presiding over. We need urgent action. We need to get the Defence Forces on the ground in counties Sligo, Leitrim and Mayo, in these areas that have been so badly affected. We absolutely need to get them now, but it should

time that we saw stabilisation and very small growth, which I do not overrate, in the number of men and women in our Defence Forces. We expect to see this trend continue. Let us look at this in the round. The budget increased each year from … C295 transport variant due for delivery this year. Also in 2023, two inshore patrol vessels were bought from the New Zealand Navy. The Defence Forces transport fleet was also renewed and there was an investment in Defence Forces protection measures and the upgrade of the Defence Forces communications

Taoiseach and the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform. We are taking action on this and any objective examination of Defence Forces spending would have to acknowledge that we have significantly increased Defence Forces spending over the last few years. We now have the highest ever … budget for the Defence Forces. Is it enough? The answer is "No". The Commission on the Future of the Defence Forces shows us very clearly that we need on a trajectory to reach LOA2 and then, as the programme for Government says, to head on to LOA3. Since

Government of the day. We have a very honourable tradition of peacekeeping in this country. I pay tribute to members of the Defence Forces. Over the last number of years we have significantly increased pay and conditions and it was unfair of the Deputy not to acknowledge that … Over a year ago now we introduced, for example, free secondary care for every member of the Defence Forces. We have increased starting pay in the Defence Forces such that it is significantly better now than many starting pay levels of many other public servants, or indeed people

west, and to the north west. I take this opportunity to recognise the contribution made by our Civil Defence units and our Defence Forces in helping those worst affected by the recent storm. As Tánaiste and Minister for Defence - in other words, as their Minister - I thank them … right across the country that we collectively owe the volunteers of the Civil Defence a huge debt of gratitude. In regard to the Defence Forces, while they are not the primary response agency for non-security related emergencies they do of course where requested provide assistance

Civil Defence, of which I am proud to be a Minister, play a very boots-on-the-ground role. I saw the Defence Forces respond to every request that was made of them. The way it works is the Defence Forces responds to requests from the civil authority … blaming any local authorities; everyone was working hard - there was a technical expertise element that was perhaps not readily available to the Defence Forces in some of the issues that would have been pressing to the Deputies' constituents. To be very clear, the State has to do better

thank the Deputy. I agree with some of what he said. It certainly would be factual to say that the Reserve Defence Force went through a rocky period in terms of recruitment and retention. This was through no fault of its own. We have been working in line … with the commission on the Defence Forces to get that to a much better place. I acknowledge the Deputy's welcoming some of the progress that has been made. It is factually true that I believe we are now in a place where the Reserve Defence Force

very much to doing that again and to personally assisting in any way I can on this, and more broadly in regard to Defence Forces facilities across the country. There are sensitivities around Defence Forces facilities, as there should be, but there is also a common-sense approach … that my Department and the Defence Forces endeavour to take. These are State assets and State resources. Where they can be used for the community, and particularly for schools and sporting clubs, there is a real advantage. I am conscious that having a certainty around use allows clubs

look forward to the visit with him. My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that we have operational capability of the Defence Forces and that it is maintained at the level it is at, but that we go significantly beyond that so it is developed further … This is to enable the Defence Forces to carry out the roles assigned by Government. Equipment priorities for the Defence Forces are considered in the context of the established capacity development and this will be called the equipment development planning processes. This has been underpinned by significant increases

some day. Now that it is gone, they are told it is hard luck. That is simply not good enough. The Defence Forces were mentioned. I have seen no members of the Defence Forces in Leitrim and I have been around a lot of the forests. None … through the forest. We need people to carry tools for the technicians who are going to put up what is necessary. The Defence Forces could do all that work but have not been called out. There is so much we could do. I hear on the radio

questions I get in parts of the country that are still affected by the lack of communications and communication breakdown was whether the Defence Force could have played a greater role in the restoration operation. I acknowledge the Tánaiste has outlined a number of places where the Defence … Force actively participated, but I concur with my colleague, Deputy Daly, that maybe the Defence Forces could have been more relevantly used regarding the homes of people

Tánaiste and I had an engagement a while ago that was primarily about the Permanent Defence Force. I want to bring to the Tánaiste's attention the issue of the Reserve Defence Force, RDF. It is a seriously depleted organisation that has much greater potential … huge ability to support the Permanent Defence Force in its own right. As of 15 October, the current strength of the RDF is 1,720. We are a long way from the target of 4,500 that has been set for 2028. How are we going to achieve

Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence for the position with regard to the proposed changes to the Defence Forces' structures, in particular the reform of high-level command and control of the Defence Forces, as set out in the Commission for Defence Forces report

Nash asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence how missions and flying hours completed by the Air Corps in support of the wider Defence Forces are accounted for; the reason these statistics are not reported on in the Defence Forces annual report; and if, with the introduction next … year of a transport variant of the Airbus 295, the flying hours completed by this aircraft in support of the Defence Forces will be reported on in the annual report. [4234/25

Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if consideration was given to calling in the Defence Forces in the aftermath of storm Éowyn; if the Defence Forces are trained for this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4735/25

Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence how he will ensure adequate funding for the Defence Forces in line with the report of the commission on the Defence Forces. [6102/25

Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence how the Defence Forces are contributing to enhancing cybersecurity; the collaboration in place that the Defence Forces has with educational stakeholders in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5811/25

asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence in the context of Storm Éowyn, the specific protocols and contingency plans in place to ensure Defence Forces assistance in future natural disasters; the criteria that are used to determine Defence Forces deployment in such emergency situations; and if he will

Minister for Defence to provide an update on any progress by military authorities in their consideration of the report and recommendations of the Defence Forces Colour Vision Working Group on colour vision requirements for entry to the Defence Forces; when he will publish this report; and when

Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence his targets for attaining an establishment figure of the Defence Forces to that envisaged by Level of Ambition 2 of the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces, by year, in tabular form; and if he will

Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the target year by which the Defence Forces are expected to attain Level of Ambition 3 of the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces, by year, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement

Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of active and inactive members of each of the branches of the Defence Forces, for each of the past 20 years, and the establishment numbers which is the target number for the Defence Forces in those years. [5286/25

Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice if his Department has considered a recruitment scheme or campaign that would see former Defence Forces personnel join An Garda Síochána at a point on the salary scale that takes into account their period of service and rank … Defence Forces. [5378/25

move speedily to bring forward the 2028 deadline for the completion of Level of Ambition 2, as outlined in the Commission of the Defence Forces, given the European Council’s declaration of 3 February 2025 and his subsequent public comments on security and defence. [7253/25

Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to discuss the need to ensure increased recruitment to the Reserve Defence Force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6439/25

changes to the triple-lock mechanism, which currently requires UN Security Council approval alongside Government and Dáil approval, for the deployment of Irish Defence Forces overseas; whether any proposed changes are solely intended to ensure that future peacekeeping missions are not unduly hindered by geopolitical deadlock

Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will provide an update on the current involvement of Irish Defence Forces personnel in UNIFIL missions in Lebanon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5944/25

Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to outline the strength of the Defence Forces in each respective year from 2020 to 2024 inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6083/25

Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence for an update on the progress of the Defence Forces tribunal; the details of the resources allocated to the tribunal; the number of support and administrative staff appointed to the tribunal; the details of the legal supports

Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the establishment figure of the Defence Forces; the current number within each service; and his targets for recruitment, by year, for 2025 to 2030. [5746/25

Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence when he expects the report by the Defence Forces in relation to the suitability for renovation of the derelict homes owned by his Department at a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement

Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the total enlistment in the permanent Defence Forces from 2019 to 2024; the measures that will be implemented this year to increase recruitment and improve retention of personnel; and if he will make a statement on the matter

capital expenditure from 2023 and 2024; the total expenditure incurred under each heading each year; the progress achieved in improving accommodation for permanent Defence Force members; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6100/25

asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will outline any occasion during or in the aftermath of Storm Éowyn when the Defence Forces were asked to aid the civil authorities or the civil power, as per their remit; and if he will make a statement

establishment of a joint cyber security command and other actions related to cyber security contained in the commission on the future of the Defence Forces. [6106/25

Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of accommodation units by the Defence Forces, the number currently in use; the plans for the development of new accommodation for officers and enlisted personnel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7178/25

Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of vacant or derelict housing units or barracks accommodation owned the Defence Forces, by location; the plans in place for each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7181/25