Search the record

taking national security very seriously in this country. We need to see a step change in our investment in the capability of our Defence Forces. I am very proud of the work done by all parts of Óglaigh na hÉireann but just because we are militarily neutral does … investment in defence and security over the lifetime of the Government. We are really committed to looking at how we can transform the Defence Forces into a modern, fit-for-purpose organisation to meet the challenges of today and the future. The specific issue Deputy Ward has raised

across all areas of security and defence. Ireland will consider joining projects in areas where capabilities and needs have been identified by our Defence Forces and the Department of Defence. Other member states may have wider interests, but it has been made clear in the White Paper that … decisions on defence spending remain a matter for individual member states. We are focused on developing our national defence capabilities and transforming our Defence Forces, and we will leverage the common procurement opportunities offered under the SAFE regulation as much as possible to progress delivery of Ireland

strong recognition of Ireland's military neutrality. We are strong believers in the triple lock but we also believe in investing in the Defence Forces. Neutrality is not a cheap option and we need to see our Defence Forces properly supported and sustained. Regarding trade, I welcome

December 2025 for retired pay, pensions, compensation, allowances and gratuities payable under sundry statutes to or in respect of members of the Defence Forces and certain other Military Organisations, etc., and for sundry contributions and expenses in connection therewith; for certain extra-statutory children's allowances and other … expenses of the Office of the Minister for Defence, including certain services administered by that Office; for the pay and expenses of the Defence Forces; and for payment of certain grants. Vote 42 - Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht (Revised Estimate) That a sum not exceeding

patrol of our coasts and coastal waters is a mammoth task for the Defence Forces, customs, An Garda Síochána, the RNLI and the Coast Guard. I want to put on record my admiration for those involved in the seizing of the MV Matthew and the drugs haul that … came with it. The work done by the Defence Forces, the RNLI and An Garda Síochána has borne great fruits for this country in stopping the drug shipment. The patrolling of this enormous exclusive economic area is a very difficult task. Is there a role for more economical

move: Tuesday's business shall be: - Motion re Data Protection Act 2018 (Section 60(6)) (Defence Forces Tribunal of Inquiry) Regulations 2025 (without debate and any division claimed to be taken immediately) - Motion re Referral to Committee of draft Planning and Development (Street Furniture Fees) Regulations 2025 (without … Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, and topical issues; 2. the proceedings on the Motion re Data Protection Act 2018 (Section 60(6)) (Defence Forces Tribunal of Inquiry) Regulations 2025 shall be taken without debate and any division claimed thereon shall be taken immediately; 3. the proceedings

recent announcement of the approval of a further 22 new settlements in the West Bank, an action openly described by the Israeli defence minister as “a strategic move that prevents the establishment of a Palestinian state”. The implications of this are clear … force plays a valuable role. I was able to see at first hand the important contribution of the men and women of the Defence Forces serving in UNIFIL when I visited Lebanon in March. In my meeting with my Lebanese counterparts, they impressed on me the important role

important to commend the Lebanese Government on its efforts to deploy the Lebanese armed forces into the south and exert a monopoly of force throughout the country. Israel's continued occupation of parts of Lebanon breaches international law. It is important that Ireland encourages the steps being taken … heightened tension in the region. While it is true that in May, the Irish Government approved the continued participation of the Irish Defence Forces in UNIFIL for a further period of 12 months, if UNIFIL's UN mandate is not renewed when it expires on 31 August, which

move: That Dáil Éireann approves the following Regulations in draft: Data Protection Act 2018 (Section 60(6)) (Defence Forces Tribunal of Inquiry) Regulations 2025; a copy of which was laid in draft before Dáil Éireann on the 2nd July

world's most sophisticated militaries. A nuclear armed power has been unleashed on a besieged civilian population. The IDF is not a defence force. It is a terrorist organisation led by war criminals. This is an army that has fired at Irish peacekeepers and endangered our diplomats

matter of public interest. Colleagues may be aware that since the 2009 Act was enacted and came into force on 1 January 2010 there was a statutory defence in line with what was referred to under the common law as a Reynolds-type defence. Section 26 gave effect

state solution through recognition of the State of Palestine. The Israeli defence minister is talking about building a concentration camp in southern Gaza on the ruins of the Gazans' own homes. Israeli forces continue to launch raids into the West Bank and seize hundreds of acres of land

defences will apply to causes of action which accrue on or after the date those defences come into operation. For example, the defence of live broadcasting introduced by the current section 11 will come into operation for broadcasts made after that section commences. Amendments … force. For example, section 16 provides for certain requirements regarding the making of correction orders. Those requirements will apply to defamation actions brought after that section is commenced. Clearly, this group of amendments comprises transitional provisions. They all provide the same with regard to providing that the defences

seen horrific scenes. Six children were killed by an Israeli air strike while collecting water in Gaza this week. Even the Israel Defense Forces stated that this was an error. The protest group who were on Kildare Street last week had a clear ask of the Government … full. That is what I want to raise with the Taoiseach today in the final sitting week before the recess. Gazan civil defence reports that more than 58,000 people in total have now been killed by Israel in Gaza. Those men, women, journalists, medics, aid workers

heavy focus on the ramping-up of EU defence readiness. Of course, under the Commission Presidency of Ursula von der Leyen, the term "defence readiness" is simply code for the acceleration of a militarisation agenda, an agenda that pushes Europe into a new arms race, an agenda that … cannot prevent and resolve conflict by sending signals of European readiness to partake in them. When fear and warmongering become the driving force behind policy decisions, then militarisation becomes a dangerous, self-fulfilling prophecy, an unstoppable quicksand that drags the world in only one direction, down

Media Regulation Act 2022 establishing Coimisiún na Meán as our new online safety regulator is a welcome step in that it brings into force parts of the EU Digital Services Act. The launch of the national counter disinformation strategy in 2025, built on five core principles, has also … also continue to support and fund verified fact-checked journalism, which is often the first casualty of disinformation and the last line of defence against it. This is all pivotal to defending our democracy

peace but we must also recognise what has followed in the months since. The military response in Gaza has gone far beyond self-defence. What we are witnessing now, day after day, is the collective punishment of a civilian population. It is a breach of international humanitarian … advisory opinion has made it clear: states have a duty not to aid or recognise illegal situations. The Bill gives that principle legal force. It is modest, practical and principled, and I hope colleagues from across the House will support it as it proceeds through the pre-legislative

Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the reason the Defence Force Regulations made by him under the Defence Acts 1954 to 2015 are not laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas or included in the electronic Irish Statute Book or made public, whether pursuant … section 3 of the Statutory Instruments Act 1947 or otherwise; if the Defence Force Regulations have been expressed to be secret or confidential in whole or in part; if the Defence Force Regulations are exempt from the application of the Freedom of Information Act 2014; if he will

Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the up-to-date figures relating to Defence Forces personnel who have left the Defence Forces, broken down by service, rank, reserve or non-reserve status, by month, from the period 2021 to date, in tabular form

Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence his views on the benefits for the Irish Defence Forces and international reputation of the country arising from cooperation between individual national defence forces (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38889/25

Deputy Mark Wall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he would consider offering members of the Reserve Defence Forces full time contracts to expedite PDF recruitment to achieve the Commission on the Defence Force's stated target of 11,500 personnel; and if he will make

Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if suitable qualified civilians can apply to join Defence Forces School of Music; and if not, if all positions within school are reserved for Permanent Defence Force personnel. [39146/25

Deputy Charles Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if suitable qualified civilian personnel can apply to join the Defence Forces school of music; if not, if all posts within the school of music are reserved for sworn members of the Permanent Defence Forces

Deputy Joe Neville asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence considering that the Government have significantly increased the Defence Forces budget, the procedures he intends to put in place to ensure Ireland's defence procurement spend stays within the Irish economy, benefitting our indigenous SMEs and research sectors

Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the reason for the apparent decline in the percentage and number of female inductees to the Permanent Defence Force in 2024 compared to previous years; if a strategy is in place to address this; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the mechanisms that are in place to support veteran groups of the Defence Forces situated in the North, particularly around commemorations and acts of remembrance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41217/25

defence procurement process will align with the EU’s SAFE mechanism to ensure a fast and efficient procurement process for the Irish Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41296/25

Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the way in which he will ensure that current procurement process and guidelines for the Defence Forces will not hinder the quick and efficient implementation of both LOA2 and LOA3; and if he will make a statement on the matter

Deputy Barry Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the position regarding the implementation of the recommendations from the Commission on the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41783/25

Aindrias Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the measures being taken to increase the number of females applying under any future Defence Forces recruitment campaigns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42160/25

Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of vacant posts for dentists, nurses and doctors within the Defence Forces Medical Corps; the timeframe for filling each of those vacancies, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter

Tánaiste and Minister for Defence for an update on the implementation of initiatives to promote the recruitment and retention of women in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43038/25

Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will provide an update on peacekeeping operations involving members of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43414/25

Minister for Defence if he will provide an update on the plans for the improvement of the pay and conditions in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43417/25

Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will provide an update on recruitment and retention within the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43418/25

Gorman asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to outline any figures that are available for the annual carbon footprint for the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43574/25

Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the current height restrictions in the Defence Forces; if the possibility has been examined of reducing these, either in full or with regard to certain roles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43793/25

aware of the reported increase in Russian ‘shadow ships’ operating in Irish-controlled waters in recent months; the actions the Defence Forces are taking to monitor these vessels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43814/25

Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the establishment figure for each branch of the Permanent Defence Forces; the actual number for each year 2019 to date; in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43832/25

Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the establishment figure for each branch of the Reserve Defence Forces; the actual number for each year 2019 to date; in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43833/25

Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of members of the Defence Forces who served overseas on a United Nations mandated mission in the years 2019 to date; by year; in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter

Minister for Defence the progress and-or recommendations that have been made by the Institute for Security Governance in their oversight of the Defence Forces redesign; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43998/25