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national referendum on enshrining neutrality into the Constitution is necessary; and — amending the Triple Lock legislation in relation to the deployment of our Defence Forces to peacekeeping missions will have no impact on this policy of military neutrality, and that no other European Union (EU) Member State, including … military neutrality, and our strong tradition of participation in international peace support and crisis management operations over many decades; — members of Ireland's Defence Forces continue to contribute bravely to peacekeeping and crisis management efforts, particularly in the Middle East, as well as elsewhere in the world

clear that the biggest danger to our national security is the persistent failure over many years of successive Governments to properly resource our Defence Forces and national security infrastructure. Look at the spending of 0.2% of GDP. Look at the depleted Naval Service. We in the Labour Party … cannot mean passivity with respect to our defence capabilities. There is no contradiction between neutrality and properly investing in and resourcing our Defence Forces. On the contrary, our military neutrality must be protected and our sovereignty safeguarded through investment in our own defence. Our persistent failure

woman who has served on such missions throughout the decades; and — nothing in the "Triple Lock" prevents us from investing properly in our Defence Forces and that it is the decisions of successive Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael Government that has led to the neglect of our Defence … training, and nor does it prevent Ireland's participation in humanitarian missions; — the failure by successive governments to adequately invest in Ireland's Defence Forces and in our defence capabilities, leaving the State exposed to numerous threats; — this Government has chosen to make Ireland reliant, and dependent

requires prior Government approval and what does not. This blanket provision is outdated, given the multilayered regulatory framework that now exists. Increasingly, the Defence Forces have procurement needs related to the defence and security technologies required to protect the infrastructure on which our economy and prosperity depend … this debate, not one Deputy mentioned our requirements around investments in our Defence Forces. We are raising the level of ambition to where we can continue to protect our citizens, strengthen national security and deliver more capable and resilient Defence Forces. I think we all accept that

continue to do so. The Irish people are proud of our history of neutrality, diplomacy and peacekeeping. We are particularly proud of our Defence Forces and the role they have played as peacekeepers in some of the most dangerous conflict zones in the world. In deployments in Europe … extremely important aspect of that is the checks required under the triple lock system. Our neutrality and the reputation of our Defence Forces abroad are part of the reasons the Irish passport is one of the most respected across the globe, allowing us access to 186 countries. Generally

Ireland the space to speak for peace, for disarmament, for humanitarian action and for the importance of respect for international law. Ireland’s Defence Forces have served with distinction under the United Nations across the world. Neutrality certainly does not prevent this State from properly funding the Defence … Forces. For years, successive Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael Governments have failed to provide the Defence Forces with the resources they need. We now hear the false argument that neutrality is somehow responsible for weaknesses in our defence capacity. If we want a State capable of protecting

Neutrality does not mean being defenceless, a fact that this and previous Governments have deliberately blurred. The triple block is about circumstances where Defence Forces personnel can be deployed overseas: UN mandate, Government decision and Dáil approval for significant deployments. It does not stop Ireland defending our airspace … does it stop investment in radar, cybersecurity or maritime surveillance. It certainly did not cause the decades of underinvestment in our Defence Forces. The responsibility for that lies squarely with successive Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael Governments. If the Government is genuinely concerned about Ireland's security, then

Ireland has lost 88 personnel from the Irish Defence Forces while serving on UN peacekeeping missions since 1958. Among other places, they went to Congo, Cyprus, and, most famously, Lebanon. They all went wearing the blue beret to protect civilians and to preserve peace. They went assured they … thinks this country faces. She should state it clearly and address it here. It would serve her better to invest in our Defence Forces and our Defence Forces personnel to ensure they have the numbers, training and equipment to defend this country and to play their part

increased defence spending available, the Government wants to get rid of it. To suggest that none of us has spoken about the Defence Forces in our contributions is incorrect. As my party's defence spokesperson, I consistently speak about the underinvestment of the Government in Óglaigh na hÉireann … capacity to even have ships in the sea at the moment. The Minister of State should not talk nonsense about us ignoring our Defence Forces. We support level of ambition 2 funding in order that our Defence Forces can actually operate

leave politics aside. Ireland has a proud and respected tradition of peacekeeping, international engagement and support for the UN. Generations of Defence Forces personnel have served overseas with distinction, often in difficult and dangerous circumstances, making an outstanding contribution to international peace and security. Our commitment to those … proposes that reform of the triple lock is synonymous with abandoning neutrality. The triple lock is a legislative mechanism governing the deployment of Defence Forces personnel overseas. I take issue with my good friend Deputy Danny Healy-Rae, who suggested somehow that we are sovereign and can send

immediately. One of the things that I want to focus on, which is highlighted in this motion, is the neglect of the Defence Forces. Other colleagues have mentioned it. Again, one side of the House is responsible for the neglect of the Defence Forces … successive Governments. It is not the fault of the triple lock. It is certainly not the fault of the Opposition that the Defence Forces are in the state that they are in now. We support the level of funding that will allow us to build back up retention

international conflict resolution. Instead of trying to dismantle the triple lock - neutrality protection - it would serve the Government better to invest in our Defence Forces. The greatest asset that we have in our Defence Forces is the men and women who put on the uniform. If the Minister

people. There is no hope that that money will ever be paid back. We should use the money for European funds for our Defence Forces because they can protect us. No one can stop us going abroad with our Defence Forces. We are a sovereign State. We need

triple lock, she needs to put it to the people in a referendum. I commend the brave men and women of our Defence Forces, particularly those who have served as peacekeepers in some of the world's most volatile regions. As Chair of the defence and national security … where the Government's focus should be regarding defence. Military neutrality does not mean military weakness. A neutral country needs credible, properly resourced defence forces and the triple lock is not a barrier to any of this. It is also not a blanket ban on overseas activity

Gael now argue that dismantling the triple lock is necessary to strengthen Ireland's defence. What a brass neck. The deficiencies in our Defence Forces were not created by the triple lock. They were the result of decades of political choices by those same parties: Fine Gael … Fáil. The triple lock never prevented investment in radar, maritime surveillance, cybersecurity or our Naval Service. Indeed, Ireland needs properly staffed and equipped Defence Forces capable of protecting our land, seas, airspace and critical infrastructure. The answer is to invest in those capabilities, not dismantle the triple lock

available to military alliances and the strategic interests of larger states because the UN aspect of the triple lock is hugely significant. Irish Defence Forces members wearing the blue beret provide a critical stabilising role in conflict zones. Their presence there saves lives, ensuring fragile peace agreements endure … international consent and that carries a moral and legal authority. Removing the UN part of the triple lock weakens the protection our Defence Forces' blue helmets have and it allows any Irish Government to send out troops to an international military operation simply because a powerful ally could

being completely defenceless. For too long, successive governments and some Opposition parties have used neutrality as a convenient excuse to neglect our armed forces. We cannot protect our sovereign territory, our international waters or indeed our economic zone with platitudes. We must look at the reality of modern … Ireland whether we like it or not, so we have to invest seriously in our defence. We have to properly resource our Defence Forces, rebuild our Naval Service in particular and develop decent radar capabilities and proper deterrence against attacks. Obviously we are not going to be able

Government. This is not an argument that defence companies should be prohibited in Ireland, nor is it an argument for investing in our Defence Forces; it is an argument about public money and State assets. Therefore, ministerial oversight is critical. I was not convinced by the Committee Stage

shortfall of €600 million in the education budget. Unfortunately, it seems that this year we are seeing more of the same. The Defence Forces are now cutting student officer rations in a miserly and desperate effort to save €12 million. His flagship policy this year seems

same protections and safeguards that have existed up until now. Decades of neglect mean that we need to absolutely invest in our Defence Forces, in the equipment and conditions they need to do their job safely, but the Government cannot allow this to be used as a smoke

that it is our triple lock and our neutrality that undermines our capacity to have defensive resilience when it comes to improving our Defence forces, including our Naval Service and radar capacity. That is actually just a Government failure. There is nobody across this House who would

point of view, in peacekeeping, etc. Being neutral and having the triple lock does not prevent us in any way from deploying our Defence Forces personnel overseas on rescue missions or for humanitarian purposes. The Minister confirmed that to me in the committee just a few short months

have been mortified by that situation, but it does not. When Fine Gael came to power in 2011, the strength of the Irish Defence Forces was 9,650. It is now 7,767. The navy had eight functional ships; now it has fewer than four. Fine Gael

money. There is no accountability in terms of where that money goes. We have to stand by our neutrality. I wholeheartedly compliment our Defence Forces on their service abroad, going back to the Congo and in many different war zones. They are held in high esteem

want to state clearly that reforming the triple lock is the right thing for Ireland, Irish neutrality, the men and women of the Defence Forces, our peacekeepers and Irish security and sovereignty. The determination to secure Irish sovereignty is how we are all here today

Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Defence the arrangements that apply where a serving member of the Permanent Defence Force is referred by a Defence Forces medical practitioner to a private hospital or specialist for investigation or treatment; the circumstances in which her Department meets the cost

Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Defence the number of riding instructor posts currently filled within Defence Forces Equitation School; the number of riding instructor posts currently vacant; and the rank of Defence Forces personnel these posts are normally filled by. [66717/26

Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Defence the healthcare and medical treatment entitlements of members of the Permanent Defence Force who are serving out of engagement; whether these entitlements differ from those of other serving members of the Permanent Defence Force; and if she will make

Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Defence whether members of the Permanent Defence Force serving out of engagement are expected to obtain private health insurance to meet the cost of medical investigations or treatment arising from a referral by a Defence Forces medical practitioner; her Department

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence if the reference to a Pay Review Body for the Defence Forces contained in the previous Statement of Strategy of her Department has been retained in the updated Statement of Strategy; if not, the reason it has not been … retained; whether it remains Government policy to provide for an independent pay review mechanism for members of the Defence Forces; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60332/26

Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Defence the number of females currently in recruit training in each of the three branches of the Defence Forces. [68060/26

Deputy Gillian Toole asked the Minister for Defence whether four members of the legal team originally appointed to the Defence Forces Tribunal (details supplied) ceased to act during the latter part of 2024, whether by resignation, judicial appointment or otherwise; the name, position and date of departure

Deputy Gillian Toole asked the Minister for Defence where no formal complaints procedure has been adopted by the Defence Forces Tribunal, the procedure by which complaints already received, or received in the future, concerning the Tribunal’s administration, procedures, services, legal team or treatment of complainants and victim

Deputy Gillian Toole asked the Minister for Defence whether the Tribunal of Inquiry into Issues Relating to the Complaints Processes in the Defence Forces and the Culture Surrounding the Making of Complaints has adopted a formal written procedure for receiving, registering, investigating and determining complaints concerning the tribunal

Deputy Gillian Toole asked the Minister for Defence whether the Defence Forces Tribunal has appointed any persons specifically to act as independent investigators, separate from its counsel and solicitors; if so, the number appointed, their professional qualifications, terms of appointment and functions; if none have been appointed, whether

response to recent media reports that soldiers’ rations, radar systems and naval guns are among a number of areas to be curtailed by Defence Forces to meet military spending cuts. [68827/26

asked the Minister for Defence to provide an update on the numbers of personnel within the Army, Naval Service, Air Corps and Reserve Defence Forces; the figures at each year end from 2020 to 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [68950/26

broken down by service, of extending the Occupational Supplementary Pension to existing members of An Garda Síochána, the Prison Service, Fire Service and Defence Forces covered by the single public service pension scheme who must retire before State Pension age. [66446/26

Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if there is consideration being given to decreasing the proposed naturalisation residency requirement increases for serving Defence Force members. [65606/26

further to Parliamentary Question No. 127 of 7 May 2026, the costs incurred as a result of outsourcing functions formerly performed by the defence forces since 2020; by function outsourced; by year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60310/26

essential service, in light of the fact that outsourcing is not only more expensive, it does not allow for nurses to deploy with Defence Forces units; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60704/26

Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Defence the estimated cost in 2027 if the budget for the Defence Forces increased by 15%. [61517/26

Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Defence if her Department runs a tendering process for the supply of fuel to the Defence Forces; the way in which and when a supplier might potentially submit a tender to her Department; if she will provide a list

Minister for Defence to provide an update in relation to the progress of each of the 27 actions arising from the Reserve Defence Forces Regeneration Plan 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62560/26

number of applicants inducted post-trainings, for each of the past five general enlisted and cadetships recruitment competitions across the different defence forces branches, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62559/26

Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Defence to provide the total numbers of active personnel within the Reserve Defence Forces (RDF) for each year for the past ten years; the recruitment targets for the RDF for 2026; the number of applications to the most recent

Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Defence the position regarding Ireland’s preparedness for a significant cyber-attack on the Defence Forces; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63030/26

Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Defence the number of staff, whole-time equivalents in the Defence Forces in June 2016 and in June 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63442/26

Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Defence the membership of the Government task force on emergency planning; and how often the task force has met in 2025 and in 2026, in tabular form. [68839/26