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slogan if violent men are tolerated within our policing system or within our security apparatus. It is a real concern too within the Defence Forces. We have seen that exposed by the Women of Honour and Natasha O'Brien. Margaret Loftus needs to be given reassurance … done to address a culture that may include cover-up. Will the Taoiseach confirm to her that neither the Garda nor the Defence Forces will tolerate the accommodation of abusers within their ranks

established Cuan, and we are pursuing a new strategy. Standards have to apply. I was involved in the matter in regard to the Defence Forces. It applies equally to An Garda Síochána. I have no doubt An Garda Síochána will reflect on these findings. I do not want … Again, there is a broader issue in terms of standards and character that apply to membership of An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces

made to deal with this on a societal basis through State agencies and State forces - in terms of An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces. There has to be a very clear zero-tolerance approach to domestic violence. As the Deputy says, increasingly such violence

supplementary pension for our uniformed services members. As the Taoiseach is aware, the fast-accrual nature of the pensions for our Defence Forces, fire services, gardaí and prison officers was decoupled from the supplementary element during austerity. This is a financial emergency measures in the public interest, FEMPI

services, with the result that we have huge volumes of applications to An Garda and other services. We have made progress in the Defence Forces in the past two to three years and we need more progress there. We have made progress on that front because of measures

courage in coming forward to tell her story, so we can continue to improve our legislation and the transparency of our agencies, Garda, Defence Forces and so forth. Deputy Ó Cearúil referred to diversification of trade. There is a need for global engagement. We need to engage

They are principles I have served overseas to uphold. I did not wear the United Nations blue beret in Lebanon alongside my Irish Defence Forces colleagues so that we could consign these principles to history. When we discuss international law, we do not discuss an abstract, empty concept

armaments industry and decry Ireland as a defence freeloader. They are the same parties that have overseen what has happened to our Defence Forces and that now, through seeking to gut neutrality, are attempting to grant themselves the authority to deploy Irish soldiers abroad without UN mandate

inflation has risen and supply disruptions, including to energy supplies, have emerged. Member states have been forced to take action to mitigate these economic impacts and enhance their security and defence infrastructure. How Europe and the international community respond has far-reaching consequences for Ukraine, European security

between conservation and progress towards a model where they are mutually reinforcing. The task force's power to make concrete recommendations on pollution control and to design vital infrastructure works, from flood defences to public access points, shifts our approach from reactive to proactive. It provides a single … national heritage, a source of recreation, wellness and inspiration. By mandating consultation with users, landowners and local organisations, the task force ensures its work is rooted in the lived experience of those who know and love the river best. It fosters a spirit of shared custodianship. Some

constructive force for good as well as what is required in terms of our own security? At a time when the multilateral system is under attack from those who seek to discredit, dismantle or even supplant it entirely, Ireland should come to its defence. It is both

ordinary people forced to ask for help? How many motions, votes or speeches are needed? What will it take to break through the callousness of a Government that would leave disabled people cold, hungry and impoverished? What should I tell them about their Government? What defence is there

Colombia and, unbelievably, he is now even threatening potential military takeover in Europe, with the dire warning that he will take Greenland, by force or otherwise. No one can say we were not warned. Last year, Trump renamed the US Department of Defense the Department … stark reality now. We can only call it imperialist warmongering by the US. Ireland and the EU must take an unambiguous stance in defence of the UN Charter and the principle of national sovereignty. They are not abstract ideals; they are the foundations of international order

proud to be Europeans. I cited Mercosur as a key issue where we were not seeing enough action from the Government in defence of those core values. I am frustrated and disappointed to have been proven right with the result last week. We are already seeing extreme weather … deadlier for Palestinians still in Gaza. In parallel with this, settler violence in the West Bank continues, resulting in killings, demolitions and the forceful expulsion of Palestinians from their homes and villages where they have been for generations. This

queried this, the senior counsel removed herself from the case with no explanation given. Margaret's victim impact statement was censored by the defence and Trevor Bolger. She had to take out parts of it he was not happy with when the report was read out. Details … Garda Síochána. Fiosrú is conducting a root and branch investigation into the case, attitudes to domestic violence and treatment of women on the force while Trevor was given a gun. There are so many wider implications to this case that I am asking the Minister to meet with

them. I also welcome section 31 amending the Schedule to the Bail Act, which will add the offences of coercive control and forced marriage. This will be hugely beneficial and it has been an oversight. Deputy Lawless made a point that is something I have reflected … whole episode from the moment in which she took the stand and was cross-examined. The first question put to her by the defence barrister was whether she had ever taken the morning after pill. What a question to ask. One would wonder why he was asking this

Bill that exposes the moral limits of the Government more starkly than in what it does to survivors of sexual violence. Right now, defence teams can apply to access survivors' therapy records. We all know that. It is well documented. Everyone across the Chamber, no matter the political … country has faith left in the Department of housing, the same Department that has delivered thousands of homeless children and whose failures has forced people into desperate situations. We cannot separate sexual exploitation from housing insecurity but the Government has found a way to avoid responsibility

face of that aggression has been a sight to behold. They have managed to hold off the imperialist, criminal advances of the Russian forces and keep going through four long, cold winters as their towns and cities are bombarded. Their bravery and dedication in the face of such … ensure aid provided by Ireland through this mechanism continues to align with the principle of military neutrality. I have received commitments at the defence committee that we have had visibility downstream on how every euro we have given Ukraine has been spent to ensure it has been spent

also leaning into security and investment in security. Canada is the only non-EU country to have partnered up on the SAFE defence spending initiative. It is a €150 billion partnership. Again, as the world is changing rapidly and rupturing rapidly, these are huge questions that smaller nations … could not seriously contemplate what is happening in Greenland. In the past half an hour, Trump has said that he will not use force, but again he caveated that in the midst of his rambling speech. God knows what he said in the past ten minutes. Europe need

been a very dry debate. With respect to his officials who crafted the response, to me it appears to be an indefensible defence of a broken system. I believe the systems and frameworks that we have in place for managing our environment, protecting our rivers and bringing them … respectful debate on them. The decision was taken and that was that. Off we went. People in agriculture have to be involved. Task forces see an intrinsic role for people working in agriculture, including farmers, in the management and stewardship of our environment. I acknowledge that organisations such

they could have a relevant evidential value crucial to a fair trial, but the reality that disclosure is now considered the norm by defence teams. The reality is that rape victims who have taken the stand are being asked about unrelated and irrelevant matters, which they had discussed … address the fact that this Bill amends the Schedule to the Bail Act 1997. It adds the offences of coercive control and forced marriage, in both cases under the Domestic Violence Act 2018, to the Schedule to the Bail Act. Many people will be disappointed by the fact

Middle East; EU enlargement; and Europe’s competitiveness in a changing global context. Other items on the agenda were European security and defence; migration; the fight against antisemitism, racism and xenophobia; the Pact for the Mediterranean; disinformation; and a proposal for a regional strategy for the Atlantic … adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2803 on the establishment of the Board of Peace and of a temporary international stabilisation force. We called on all parties to implement the resolution in its entirety and in line with relevant international political and legal principles. The Council reiterated

make a compelling case that disclosure is required. Therefore, such records will only be released where the judge deems them relevant to the defence. I know that there have been calls for an outright ban on the use of counselling records in criminal trials, including by the Deputy … Bail Act 1997 to amend an inaccurate legislative reference and to add to the Schedule the offences of coercive control and forced marriage, which are provided for in the Domestic Violence Act 2018. This will mean that where a bail application is made by a person charged with

this has been provided through procurement partnerships with Denmark and Lithuania. This is to provide elements of air defence purchased from Ukraine’s defence industries. This support will help Ukraine to defend its towns, cities and energy infrastructure from Russia’s brutal air and drone attacks. Last month … have been made, there are many challenges to overcome. Most recently, Syria witnessed another outbreak of localised violence in Aleppo, where government-aligned forces clashed with Kurdish fighters. While a ceasefire has since been agreed, it reminds us of the importance of supporting the new transitional government

Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Defence as part of culture changes within the Defence Forces the substantial changes across HR structures their fare or primary carers within the Defence Forces; and how primary carers are considered with regard to career progression and equality within the Defence

Minister for Defence whether her Department keeps any statistics on the inclusion of those with ADHD or on the autism spectrum in the Defence Forces, including the Reserve Defence Force; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74125/25

Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Defence if the Defence Forces is addressing and accepting primary carers within the Defence Forces and engaging with families with caring responsibilities. [2278/26

Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Defence her plans to modernise the Reserve Defence Forces to ensure that they are ready to act in support the Permanent Defence Forces and the civil power, and deal with the challenges Ireland faces in the 21st century

Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Defence if discrimination against primary carers within the Defence Forces has ceased as per the recommendations within the Commission on Defence report of 13 July 2022. [2276/26

Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Defence if she will address concerns regarding Defence Forces activity on the Curragh, raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7232/26

Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Defence the number of females that applied to join each branch of Defence Forces in each cadetship and or general services recruitment campaign in 2025, in tabular form. [5549/26

Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the Defence Forces will be reimbursed for equipment donations provided to Ukraine under the €100 million in bilateral funding for non-lethal military assistance; whether any such funding will be used to support National Development Plan

Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Defence her views on the adequacy of the existing level of equipment available to the Defence Forces; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3463/26

Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Defence the position regarding any proposals to increase capital expenditure on military equipment for the Defence Forces; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3464/26

Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Defence the position regarding any assessment of the readiness and preparedness of the Defence Forces in the context of an increasingly volatile international climate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3465/26

Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Defence for an update on the Implementation Plan for the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3536/26

Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Defence the number of new recruits entering the Defence Forces in 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3554/26

Question No. 177 of 17 September 2025, if she will publish the detailed implementation plan for the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces, which her predecessor committed to publishing in October 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3803/26

Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Defence for an update on the implementation of the Reserve Defence Force Regeneration and Development Plan as it relates to the Naval Service Reserve; the current status of Action 22; any decisions made on the future structure, geographic footprint, and establishment

Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Defence when the rehearsals studio for the Defence Forces school of music was last refurbished; when it is next scheduled for refurbishment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3842/26

Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Defence the advertisement budget allocation for the Defence Forces in 2025 and 2026, in tabular form. [4180/26

Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Defence in relation to the recent visit of President Zelenskyy, the time that the Defence Forces saw unknown drones referred to in media reports; when the last one was seen; and if she will make a statement on the matter

Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Defence regarding the recent visit of President Zelenskyy, the Defence Forces’ helicopters, if any, which were used during the visit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74042/25

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence the number of personnel inducted into the Permanent Defence Force; and the number remaining in service at six months, 12 months and 24 months after induction, by Army, Naval Service and Air Corps, in each of the years from

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence the number of personnel who left the Permanent Defence Force within 12 months of completing initial recruit training; the median length of service at exit; and the reason categories recorded in each of the years from

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence the authorised establishment strength and the actual strength of the Permanent Defence Forces at year-end for each year from 2020 to 2025 inclusive; and the total number of inductions and total exits in each year. [75309/25

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence the current retention strategy for the Permanent Defence Forces; the specific retention targets set by her Department; the key performance indicators used to measure retention; and the most recent results available against those indicators. [75310/25

Parliamentary Question No. 237 of 16 December 2025, the mean wait time for security clearance to be granted to reservists in the Defence Forces for each of the years 2021 to 2025, inclusive; and the number of applications for security clearances for reservists in each of those years

seek a detailed explanation for the delays with sending a Redress of Wrongs dated 22 July 2021 to the Workplace Commission by the Defence Forces with regard to discrimination. [2275/26