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enforcement, as was mentioned by the joint committee. Changes have also been made to the provisions concerning the suspension of members of the Defence Forces and the dismissal of officers, ensuring that fair procedures apply, and that the circumstances in which suspension or dismissal may arise are clearly … also bring forward an amendment on Committee Stage to ensure that the provisions of the Army Pensions Act apply to members of the Defence Forces deployed outside the State as part of an international force. Let us go through the Bill. Sections 1 to 3 in Part

pleased to present the Bill to the House today. At the outset, I want to again acknowledge the members of our Defence Forces and thank them for the work they do in keeping us safe at home, but in particular, given this debate, to acknowledge, recognise and thank … again today. It is well known that the triple lock is the legal mechanism that governs the deployment of our Defence Forces personnel overseas as part of an international force. We currently require a UN Security Council mandate, Government approval and Dáil approval to deploy any number

approach it with confidence, ambition and a serious investment in our future. That starts with our people. That is why people and our Defence Forces personnel are at the heart of our defence investment for budget 2027. We are providing funding for a net increase of 400 permanent … Defence Forces personnel, including specialist roles, bringing funded strength of up to 8,300 personnel by the end of next year. I believe there are reasons to be optimistic. Last year saw more than 16,500 applications to join. By August of this year, there were

triple lock. The Government has also attempted, at times, to connect getting rid of the triple lock with investing in our Defence Forces, but it is this and previous Governments that have failed to invest. We should have a Government that is strong on neutrality and strong … defence. This Government is neither. We must properly resource the Defence Forces by rebuilding the Naval Service, strengthening air and maritime surveillance and developing adequate radar capabilities. Neutrality does not mean being defenceless. It also does not mean dependence and reliance on others. The weakness in our defence

called a light tactical armoured vehicle fleet. It was procured through a competitive process and provided an important operational capacity to our Defence Forces from 2010 until its withdrawal from service in 2023 at the end of its planned service life. There was a detailed technical assessment … withdrawal from the service and the Defence Forces concluded that the fleet could be made available for donation for potential restoration and operational use by the armed forces of Ukraine for the humanitarian purpose the Deputy highlighted. The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine expressed its sincere gratitude

members of the committee, and I will do that. I want to be absolutely clear. Protecting Ireland's neutrality and strengthening our Defence Forces are not mutually exclusive. The Government would have people believe that the triple lock is somehow preventing Ireland from playing its part internationally … improve military readiness, modernise equipment, invest in our barracks and, crucially, address the recruitment and retention crisis that continues to undermine our Defence Forces. Not one of those priorities requires the abolition of the triple lock. The real obstacle to strengthening our Defence Forces are decades of underinvestment

cannot understand, again from Sinn Féin, is that we allow the United Kingdom to make decisions about where we deploy our troops, our Defence Forces, on a peacekeeping mission. There is a conflation of this argument with the loss of neutrality. The suggestion that the reform … credible. Abolishing the triple lock does not mean that we abandon multilateralism. We should also think about our own armed forces, our Defence Forces, in terms of their contribution as peacekeepers. It is a very proud tradition but, most importantly, it allows our Defence Forces to develop experience

removes a core plank that has shaped Irish defence policy for decades. It changes the legal basis on which members of our Defence Forces can be deployed overseas on peace enforcement missions, yet the Government seems determined to use its majority to curtail debate and avoid the detailed … come at the expense of legitimacy, nor should this debate be presented as a choice between supporting the triple lock and supporting our Defence Forces. Improving the capacity of our Defence Forces does not require us to abandon an important safeguard governing overseas deployment. These are separate questions

able to participate. We have to be able to continue to ensure that those words and values are translated through our Defence Forces peacekeeping missions. Quite frankly, that will not be possible for so many missions and in so many situations if the triple lock remains. I wish … restate again that this legislation will ensure that our Defence Forces can continue to participate in UN-led and UN-organised missions. That will not change. We will have a choice, as we do now. It will also enable the Defence Forces to participate in missions organised

terms of changing any sort of military alliance within the European context. We cannot separate this debate from the condition of our Defence Forces, as we have so many long-standing deficiencies in terms of recruitment, retention, abuse of members, gaps in maritime surveillance and air-defence radar … coverage. The report on the Commission of the Defence Forces highlighted the need for substantial reform and investment. We also had the issues of pay and conditions. This week, the Representative Association of Commissioned Officers expressed huge frustration over delays in delivering promised improvements and pointed

taxi driver who gets up in the middle of the night to do morning runs to the airport. The newest member of our Defence Forces, who are ready at a moment's notice to come to the aid of this country when it is in such distress, feels … country. The reality is that this budget tinkers around the edges. It tries to do a lot and does absolutely nothing. For the Defence Forces, funding has been given for 400 new permanent roles to bring their strength up to 8,300, yet we are not even meeting

Minister is about fixing it. These changes will renew our peacekeeping. Tonight I think of my cousin who serves in the Defence Forces. Marie Carrigy served in the Golan Heights, Congo and Lebanon and is currently abroad serving on a UN mission … past 60 years. From 1972 until the barracks closed in 2009, hundreds of members from Sean Connolly Barracks in Longford served as Defence Forces members on peacekeeping duties, particularly in Lebanon. One of the most recent deployments to Lebanon was led by Lieutenant Colonel Mark Lennon with

concerns with the Bill, and not just specifically from a policy perspective, are the powers given to Government alone regarding the dispatch of Defence Forces personnel for purposes other than service as part of a relevant international force. The Government may decide to send advisers overseas without Dáil … ally or partner has a reputation for upholding international law or defending human rights. We must be careful who we call on our Defence Forces to not only stand beside but work with to build up their military capabilities. I have a similar concern about undertaking reconnaissance missions

very serious and significant debate. Perhaps the most serious debate that any nation state can have is where it sends its defence forces and what are the circumstances under which it sends its defence forces abroad. It is, of course, incredibly important in this country because

Ireland until we can get a UN mandate in this decade or the next decade. Most Irish people believe what the Irish Defence Forces have done in Lebanon is important. In Lebanon in particular, the Defence Forces have kept the aggression of Israel in check in many parts

near future, but also an overall capacity review, specifically, one for Haulbowline and more generally as well for the needs of the Defence Forces of the future. I will be working with the Department and the Defence Forces to progress that and, obviously, to ensure they have

package of €1.6 billion for the Department of Defence for 2027. This increase of 9% will support: an intake of 850 new Permanent Defence Force members next year; increases for Air Corps and Naval Service equipment; national preparedness and resilience funding; IT investment for digital transformation … joint cyber operations unit; and healthcare and medical services for the Defence Forces. Some €340 million of NDP funding will support: the delivery of new helicopters and the military radar programme; targeted investment in capabilities, including maritime surveillance and cybersecurity; and the modernisation and upgrade of military installations

triple lock and fully recognise that strongly held beliefs exist on all sides of this debate. I have met members of the Defence Forces who strongly support the proposed changes and I have heard firmly held opposition from others. In my view, legitimate arguments have been advanced … other permanent Security Council member would be able to prevent Ireland from participating in peacekeeping missions approved by the Oireachtas. Any deployment of Defence Forces personnel overseas would still require Government and Dáil approval. The legislation does not alter Ireland's traditional policy of military neutrality, nor does

peacekeeping missions but there are 11 active peacekeeping missions already in the world. Another claim is that we need to modernise our Defence Forces. Of course we do and we should not be leaving it until now to do it. That needed to be resourced, our personnel needed … paid properly and our Defence Forces needed to be modernised long ago. That should have happened and nothing in the triple lock stops us from doing that. Another suggestion is that Russia will use the power of veto that the five permanent members of the Security Council have

practical measure. The argument simply does not stand up. When it comes to sending the proud members of our Defence Forces abroad, democratic accountability should be strengthened, not lessened. I also have concerns regarding the expansion of missions outside traditional peacekeeping roles, including military security duties and close … protection operations. I want the Defence Forces to be properly funded, which they are not, properly equipped and properly respected. As I said, its members have served us over many decades in many areas, and they need to be supported, not demonised and neglected by the Government

participate in peacekeeping missions. For decades, Ireland has earned an international reputation far beyond its size through the courage and professionalism of its Defence Forces. No country in the world has a longer unbroken record of service in UN peacekeeping than Ireland. Every day since June 1958, Irish … world we live in. Today, it does quite the opposite. The Security Council can effectively veto whether or where Ireland sends its Defence Forces. The Opposition cannot credibly claim to defend Irish sovereignty. Sinn Féin, the party whose very name means "ourselves alone", would leave Ireland dependent

Speaking as the only current Member of this House who has served in the Permanent Defence Force and as a UN peacekeeper, I want to address some of the claims that have been made about this legislation. Sinn Féin's continual mislabelling of legislation calling the triple lock … Irish flag on my shoulder, and I understand what it means to represent this country. I also understand the professionalism of the Defence Forces and the importance of military advice in decisions about overseas deployments. However, what has changed is the world around us. The UN Security Council

military alliance. But it does weaken one of the key protections that has helped reassure generations of Irish people that our Defence Forces will only serve overseas under clear international authority. This is a very significant step. I am equally concerned about the reduction in parliamentary oversight. Under … should not be used to justify the removal of the UN element of the triple lock or the dilution of parliamentary scrutiny. Our Defence Forces have built a proud reputation throughout the world as peacekeepers. They deserve clear rules, clear accountability and public confidence in the missions they

Reforming the triple lock is the right thing to do for the men and women of the Irish Defence Forces, Irish security, Irish sovereignty and Irish neutrality. I am disappointed by the Opposition's continued false framing of this debate. This legislation very simply proposes to remove … over Northern Ireland, yet it is happy for the UK to decide where the Irish men and women of our Defence Forces can serve overseas. This does not make any sense to me. Why does the Opposition not trust the public on this? We are fortunate to live

greater support for our national security and resilience, with a 10.5% funding increase which will result in an additional 400 members of the Defence Forces and extra capital funding for our defence priorities. I commend the budget. I thank each and every Minister for all of the hard

Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Defence whether paragraph 302 of Defence Forces Administrative Instruction A12, which provides for dental care at recruit induction "including induction of members to the Reserve Defence Forces", applies to Reserve recruits notwithstanding paragraph 301(a)(3) of that instruction … reason the Reserve Defence Forces are expressly included in paragraph 302; the process by which Reserve recruits may access these provisions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73674/26

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence the type and retention standard of holsters issued with sidearms to members of the Defence Forces; whether any review of holster safety was carried out by the Defence Forces following the incidents involving Garda issue holsters in June

Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Defence the number of members inducted into the Reserve Defence Force in each of the years 2020 to 2025 who received the dental provisions set out in paragraph 302 of Defence Forces administrative instruction A12 (medical treatment), namely dental charting

recent EU Defence and Foreign Affairs Ministers' meetings; the reasons a civilian community was selected over secluded venues; the total number of Defence Forces and Garda personnel deployed; the level of maritime and aviation restrictions; if local community and business disruptions were assessed; and if standard guidelines exist

introduction of a cross-public service framework to recognise previous service, experience, training and qualifications for personnel moving between An Garda Síochána, the Defence Forces, Fire Services and other emergency response organisations; and if he will provide a timeline for any such proposals. [73517/26

Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Defence if the Defence Forces or her Department have the ability, either directly or through another State body, to verify and reconstruct an applicant's administrative history from arrival in the State through to enlistment; and if she will outline

Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Defence if Defence Forces recruitment forms, interviews, vetting procedures or background investigations seek information regarding an applicant's immigration history, arrival circumstances, previous immigration permissions, international protection history, or previous identity documentation. [73555/26

Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Defence if she will outline any proposals to facilitate greater mobility between the Defence Forces, An Garda Síochána and Fire Services through the mutual recognition of relevant experience, training and qualifications; and the timeline for any such measures. [73515/26

Garda Síochána, Fire Services or other front line emergency services for the purposes of recruitment, pay, promotion or other employment benefits within the Defence Forces. [73514/26

Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Defence the expenditure on the Tribunal of Inquiry into the Defence Forces; the anticipated full cost of the Tribunal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74416/26

Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Defence the number of Defence Forces properties, lands and buildings disposed of since 2010; and the total proceeds generated. [74311/26

Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Defence the number of trained members of the Defence Forces who have resigned in each year since 2020; and the primary reasons recorded for departure. [74294/26

Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Defence the expenditure incurred by the Defence Forces on recruitment campaigns in each year since 2020; and the net increase or decrease in personnel achieved. [74310/26