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thank the Deputy for his question and for the opportunity to discuss the considerable investment made by my Department in the Defence Forces over the past five years. This is much-needed investment when we have to do more in terms of our national security and defence … Defence Forces infrastructure development plan, IDP, sets out a programme of project delivery for the years 2023 to 2027. The programme reflects the complex environment in which the Defence Forces operate and the need for appropriate infrastructure to provide accommodation and training of personnel as well

acknowledge the important work of Defence Forces personnel. I have seen it at first hand with family members directly involved. I firmly believe that Defence Forces infrastructure and equipment must be of a modern standard to meet their operational capabilities and defence responsibilities. I therefore welcome the revised … national development plan allocation to upgrade and modernise Defence Forces infrastructure and the fact that planning is being undertaken. I believe a modern progressive Defence Forces with associated equipment and infrastructure would further encourage those who are interested in pursuing a career in the Defence Forces to enlist

There are currently 80 uninhabitable residential Defence Forces buildings. None of these uninhabitable properties can be brought up to a habitable standard without significant work. Many of them were built prior to the introduction of building regulations, for example. As such, considerable work will be needed to bring … them up to modern standards. Consultants were commissioned to assess the condition of the Defence Forces vacant housing stock and its suitability for conversion or refurbishment to provide for additional single living-in accommodation for Defence Forces personnel. My officials are subsequently engaged with the Defence Forces

Clendennen for his questions. I previously clarified my intentions with regard to the proposed amendments to legislation governing the overseas deployment of the Defence Forces in the proposed defence (amendment) Bill. This was agreed by Cabinet on 4 March this year. As I mentioned, the pre-legislative scrutiny … Ireland. I recognise, however, that in removing the UN Security Council mandate requirement, alternative safeguards are needed to underpin the future despatch of Defence Forces personnel. I am genuinely up for having a detailed discussion on this when we produce the full Bill and, therefore, in parallel

reason I raise the issue - the family understand and have been informed of the circumstances by the Defence Forces - is that the individual in question left school after his communion, had no formal education and, in the words of his own family, had severe literacy issues. He found … sanctuary in the Defence Forces. He served there for 22 years and had multiple tours of Lebanon. He was a proud Defence Forces member and was always sure and had told his family that if anything happened him, his beautiful wife and his family would be looked after

certainly eager to see how we can explore that. I think Irish people are rightly proud of the role that members of the Defence Forces have played in peacekeeping missions right across the world. It is a record that dates back many decades and which has remained unbroken … structure today. I have consulted with lots of people in relation to this. Obviously with the command structure that works in the Defence Forces it is often difficult to have direct conversations with serving members of the Defence Forces but we do of course talk to their representative

vitally important that we are investing in the areas of most relevance to us as an island nation, and also in building the Defence Forces on a stable foundation through training, equipment and ensuring that, with the recruits we are bringing in, we are able to arrest … slide in establishment numbers in the Defence Forces. We also need to ensure the equipment and the environment in which recruits are trained are to the highest standard. The issues relating to Gormanston have been well publicised. The consensus is that the current location is in a state

investment. Obviously if there is anything that can be done then we will do that but we are only going to put our Defence Forces personnel into accommodation that would meet what the Deputy and I would consider to be of the reasonable and decent standard they … very much committed to overhauling both the built environment and the working conditions for the men and women of the Defence Forces. I hope this significant increase in investment outlines that commitment. We will have to make a call in 2026 about the uninhabitable accommodation and what

quite rightly increasing pay for three-star privates and reforming the apprenticeship pathway so that technical staff beginning their careers in the Defence Forces correspond with three-star privates after six months. The Tánaiste has also overseen the introduction of the instructor's allowance and established a service … traffic controllers in the Air Corps. These are all developments that should quite rightly be applauded. However, at present, everyone else in the Defence Forces is on approximately €43,000 after six months but cadets remain on the €25,000. I understand the points the Tánaiste outlined

very best. The office of veterans' affairs is an important recommendation. It was included in the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces. We put it in our programme for Government. I have made it a priority that we get it up and running. We are consulting … issue of mental health supports to veterans. This is an important point. As with other members of society, former members of the Permanent Defence Force can, of course, experience difficulties. They can often find themselves in unique circumstances relative to the rest of our population. In such circumstances

that Ireland has been participating in peacekeeping it has been under the exclusive banner of the UN. When people sign up for the Defence Forces, it is with a reasonable expectation that overseas service will be in a blue beret. Has the Minister consulted with rank and file … members of the Defence Forces on this fundamental change to their terms and conditions

during its formal conciliation council meetings with the Department. Since the signing of the public service agreement to which members of the Permanent Defence Force are a party, all cost increasing claims can be channelled through the local bargaining process. As I said a moment ago, local bargaining … pleased that interest in applying for a cadetship remains extremely high, with 1,819 applicants this year alone, and the Permanent Defence Force is currently in the process of making offers to successful candidates. It is anticipated that a class of 80 cadets will be inducted in October

contribution of our Defence Forces, both at home and abroad, is undoubtedly a source of incredible pride for us as Irish people. Could the Tánaiste please outline the plans to further support our veterans of the Defence Forces? I notice that in the programme for Government, there

thank the Deputy for raising this issue. As the Deputy knows, public service pension schemes, including for the Defence Forces, provide for the payment of spouses’ and children’s pensions. However, such pensions are only payable where the deceased had been a member of the relevant spouses … this case have been examined previously and I am advised that, unfortunately, the individual in question was not a member of the relevant Defence Forces contributory spouses’ and children’s pension scheme. Without personalising it to any individual, people have an opportunity

making and I certainly extend my thanks and that of the State to the individual for their service with distinction in our Defence Forces. Neither the Deputy nor I were around in the seventies or eighties but my note tells me that, at the time, detailed information … reconsider their decision. I make that point more broadly than for any individual. As the long-standing provisions in relation to the Defences Forces contributory spouses' and children's pension schemes are of common application across all public service spouses’ and children’s pension schemes, the situation

back to that in my last contribution. The threats that are potentially faced are multiple. There are obviously the traditional issues that the Defence Forces faced in ensuring the protection of Irish waters in a fishing and general sort of sense but also as regards the issue … Ireland particularly vulnerable. There is also the issue of an increasing number of shadow ships and so on coming into Irish waters. The Defence Forces have dealt with this appropriately but ensuring they have the capacity to continue doing so as these threats potentially increase is going

outlining where we now stand with the revised capital development plan and to mark that against the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces. That would be a useful document if it were possible to achieve. One of the areas in which the gap between the current … service level commitment schemes for certain ranks - relates to one of the roles that are most difficult to obtain and retain for the Defence Forces, namely, artificers. They are hugely in demand in the private sector. That needs to be looked at in the scheme

United Nations in New York. The last hearing of the trial was held on 28 July. My officials, members of the Defence Forces, Ireland’s ambassador and our honorary consul to Lebanon, and the Department’s Lebanese lawyer all attended the hearing along with a member of Private … coroner’s inquest into the death of Private Rooney, further hearings will take place in the coming months. Both my Department and the Defence Forces are co-operating with this process in full

built infrastructure platforms, and will enable progression on key elements of our commitments within LOA 2 as outlined in the Commission on the Defence Forces report. The Deputy will note that following the conclusion of the process of agreeing overall departmental allocations, all Departments were requested to consider … capital budget for defence. I welcome that; it was badly needed. It is my Department's job, in conjunction with the Defence Forces, to publish sectoral investment plans to show how we intend to allocate those resources against specific projects and we will do that in the coming

those tasks and keep our country safe. That is why investing in its training facilities is really important. In fairness to the Defence Forces and the Department of Defence, I think the work they have undertaken in terms of developing a series of master plans for each installation

pinch points that are there are real. They often relate to very specialist skills. That is why I have asked the Defence Forces and the Department of Defence to jointly produce a plan of action for the Naval Service. I am expecting to receive that very shortly - within

acknowledge the Deputy's family's proud tradition of service in our Defence Forces. I know that he will very much agree that investing in our defence infrastructure is not just about investment in buildings or vehicles. It is actually an investment in our people, in keeping them

Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the consultation he has had with rank and file members of the Defence Forces in relation to the potential changes to their terms and conditions in the general dcheme of the defence (amendment) Bill 2025, which has recently

with neutrality. The idea that the legislation that references how Irish troops are deployed outside the State as part of international forces has nothing to do with neutrality is quite a statement. It is a remarkable suggestion that it has nothing to do with neutrality. My second point … important that we find other peacekeeping missions. It is important in terms of our standing internationally and the development of our Defence Forces. Irish troops currently participate in three of 11 peacekeeping missions. There are plenty of other peacekeeping missions to participate in. The Tánaiste referenced the Fine

come back to some of the brass tacks in terms of the training objectives outlined in the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces, there was one objective for the future and another that I hope has been progressed a bit. Will the Tánaiste give an update

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 … been analysed to better understand the reason members are leaving the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49296/25

Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the reason the Defence Forces have a policy of excluding candidate who have had LASIK eye surgery from joining; the number of serving members of the Defence Forces that have undergone laser eye surgery, including LASIK, during … prior to their service; and the reason the Defence Forces does not provide an option for candidates who have previously had LASIK eye surgery to sign a waiver acknowledging the potential risks, in order to allow them to enlist. [45918/25

will report on a television programme (details supplied) of 18 September 2025 in which it was alleged that the phones and geolocation of defence force personnel, while on duty and/or in defence forces campuses, can be tracked by a third party; and if he will make a statement

Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the current strength of the Reserve Defence Force; the efforts being made by his Department to increase recruitment to the Reserve Defence Force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49254/25

Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to provide a list of all chronic illnesses and medical conditions that currently preclude members of the Defence Forces from serving; whether there have been any exceptions made to allow personnel who develop such chronic illness to remain in the service … views on whether members of the Defence Forces who develop chronic illnesses during their careers should, subject to medical advice and operational requirements, be permitted to continue serving. [50104/25

Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the estimated cost of increasing capital spending in line with 2022-2027 Defence Forces Capital Infrastructure Development Plan to enhance capabilities in cyber-security and cyber-defence unit, including radar and robotics, and to support research

Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the consultation he has had with rank and file members of the Defence Forces in relation to the potential changes to their terms and conditions in the general dcheme of the defence (amendment) Bill 2025, which has recently

Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the amount of funding allocated for the development of Defence Forces infrastructure in each of the past five years, the number of projects completed in that period, the number under way and if he will make a statement

Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of residential Defence Forces buildings that are currently not habitable, and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49304/25

Deputy John Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the total number of members of the Irish Defence Forces currently deployed to the UNIFIL mission; and the number of further deployments of Irish troops that are expected to fulfil the mission prior to the projected conclusion

Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the action he is taking to improve retention levels in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48977/25

Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to report on the progress of recruitment campaigns for school leavers and women into careers in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49114/25

establishment of a joint cyber-security command and other actions related to cyber-security contained in the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces. [49303/25

Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the establishment figure of the Defence Forces; the total number of personnel in 2019; and the current total number of personnel. [48882/25

Defence if he will consider introducing legislation to ensure that military uniforms can only be worn by members of the permanent and reserve Defence Forces, and that for all other uses, such as filmmaking and re-enactment, a licence would have to be obtained from his Department

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Defence for an update on the planned rollout beginning in 2026 of the military radar programme as recommended by the Commission on the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49273/25