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been asked twice already, so it is good that I have a clear insight. My question refers to the preparedness within the Defence Forces to respond to cyber and physical interference. I will discuss how we should strengthen our interconnectivity in terms of not only data but also … want our system to be decentralised and for there to be private wires. I want an update on the readiness of our Defence Forces

recruitment process, including a nationwide programme for transition year and third level students and better representation of women at all levels of the Defence Forces. Are there particular measures being implemented this year to implement those commitments? Also, there is a commitment to examine incentives and structural changes … candidates and to encourage existing personnel to extend their military careers. Far too often, I have seen very young people leave the Defence Forces with the ludicrous situation a few years ago where some people had to leave after 20 years' service. There were young women

recruitment and retirement. We have extended the private secondary healthcare to all personnel. We have applied the working time directive across the Defence Forces, subject to certain exemptions. We have increases in the patrol duty allowances that are payable to Naval Service personnel at sea. We have extended … over the years. As part of the strategic framework, we also have a clear focus on how we can support people in the Defence Forces to increase in number and be promoted throughout their careers, and on how we can do more for women in particular. There

Amendment) Bill 2026 is to consolidate, with amendments, the existing provisions of the Defence Acts relating to the despatch of members of the Defence Forces for service outside the State. The Government approved the text of the Bill on 9 June 2026. The Bill has been published … principal change is the removal of the requirement for a UN mandate as a condition for the deployment of members of the Defence Forces overseas, but the Bill retains existing requirements for both Government approval and Dáil approval before such a deployment can take place. Crucially, the legislation

impacts. In relation to the potential use of Carlisle Pier as the new forward operating base, the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces calls for the development of an east coast base for the Naval Service. Officials are in discussions with Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council … interim arrangement pending the selection and development of a permanent forward operating base. A detailed business case would be required from the Defence Forces regarding a longer term Naval Service presence on the east coast. I anticipate that the awaited regeneration report will help in working this

they have focused primarily on procedural matters. The next hearing is scheduled to take place on 22 July, and my Department and the Defence Forces are co-operating with this process in full. The coroner has scheduled the opening of the substantive inquest from 17 November. The independent … Delaney for his work on the report. As mentioned previously, the report examined the internal tactics, techniques, processes and procedures of the Defence Forces with a view to identifying lessons arising from the circumstances surrounding Private Rooney’s death. I reviewed the report and referred

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

basis of where we are at the minute, through forecasting, when we think we will have the numbers within the Defence Forces that we require even in relation to LOA 2. The Tánaiste mentioned earlier the national security framework. How exactly will it operate in relation … that will look? I am always curious as to how the National Cyber Security Centre fits in with the piece of work the Defence Forces have

foreign affairs and defence committee from 2016 to 2020. At that time, as Cathaoirleach of the committee, I invited the Reserve Defence Force Representative Association, RDFRA, to come before the committee. We gave its representatives an opportunity to outline the particular issues which, in the RDFRA's view … need for better advertising campaigns for recruitment and better support to ensure that retention levels are improved. By and large, the Reserve Defence Force costs the State very little. The State could be much more generous in paying people for the time they are losing in their

thank the Minister for her reply. She will be aware that Defence Forces members frequently work irregular and extended hours. Compensation arrangements for overtime and public holiday duties have been a long-standing concern for members and must be addressed. Fair remuneration for additional hours worked is central … bottom line is that a lot of work needs to be done to ensure our members have adequate working conditions. Members of the Defence Forces sacrifice so much to serve and protect our country and Irish citizens. Working conditions are essential to recruitment, retention and, without a doubt

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

understand that at the end of February there were in excess of 7,500 personnel enlisted in the Permanent Defence Force. This is just over 4,000 short of the ambition outlined in the programme for Government. We need to increase enlistment by 50%, which is a substantial … above the 8,000 figure because it is important that we get back to a critical enlistment across all aspects of the Permanent Defence Force

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

spending, we are able to invest and support the work of the personnel who are there. We have €10 million to facilitate new Defence Forces uniforms, which is really important to make sure that we are supporting what they get up and get dressed into every day. There … funding for a number of other strategic priorities. Digital transformation, which is absolutely key and will be essential, is something that the Defence Force members themselves are keen to see advance in their work. There is maritime security, national societal preparedness and resilience campaign initiatives. All of this

This is clearly an ever evolving and growing area that will be of crucial importance to the Defence Forces and our security in the coming time. The Tánaiste instanced the new committee and it is very important that it is given adequate briefings on these issues as they … that it was to be established. Perhaps there is more up-to-date information than that. I understood the Department and the Defence Forces had advertised for a cybersecurity lead. Perhaps the Tánaiste can inform me on whether the person has been appointed. I tabled my question

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

with the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste, the Ministers for foreign affairs, Defence, Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, the Secretaries General of those Departments, the Defence Forces Chief of Staff, the National Cyber Security Centre director, and the Taoiseach and Tánaiste's chiefs of staff also attending meetings … develop a new sonar system which will be a towed sonar capability. When attached to an Irish naval vessel, it will assist the Defence Forces with monitoring subsea areas in Ireland's exclusive economic zones. It will help with fisheries, drug and other criminal detection

National Cyber Security Centre is responsible for protecting the State broadly speaking, the Garda has responsibility as a major intelligence organisation, and the Defence Forces are responsible for protecting themselves. It is a combination to some degree of all three where there is a hybrid element … cyber element? Part of that is the responsibility of the National Cyber Security Centre, but some of it potentially falls to the Defence Forces

external audience. In truth, for all the big speeches, much of the substance of what is needed to ensure the sustainability of the Defence Forces is absent. The Tánaiste has been talking about fighter jets while we have sent boats to sea in recent months without a functioning … private sector firms. I understand that in recent weeks, three or four people involved in air traffic control at Baldonnel have left the Defence Forces, which creates potentially significant difficulties for the Air Corps and the Government jet. If the Tánaiste would comment on that, I would welcome

extension of private secondary healthcare, restructuring of the patrol duty allowance and the extensive training and education opportunities that now exist in the Defence Forces, which are possibly unrivalled in many parts of the public service, are also helpful. Increasing the mandatory retirement … keep under review whether we need to do more in respect of particular specialties that we want to retain in the Defence Forces

investment in cybersecurity. We all agree with that and we know the urgency of it. In the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces of 2022, the preferred enlistment is 11,500 by 2028. That is the target that was outlined in that report. To cater … expect the Minister to answer on this specifically this evening. There was a huge corporate knowledge acquired by members of the Defence Forces when they were based in Dún Uí Néill Barracks in Cavan right through the central Border area. As the Minister will be aware, the military

maritime domain, which require addressing and this strategy. One other recommendation that came from the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces was that the powers required by the Naval Service for effective enforcement in support of national security in the maritime domain should be addressed … Maritime Safety Act 2005. Is a consolidating piece of legislation needed in this area? One further recommendation of the Commission on the Defence Forces was the development of a naval base for the Naval Service Reserve in Galway. This should form part of this strategy. The Naval Service

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

structure to ensure democratic accountability on national security matters, and proper co-ordination between all Departments and between An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces. As Taoiseach, I will chair it, and also participating will be the Ministers for Justice and Foreign Affairs and Trade. The council will … Oireachtas role, but it would have to be predicated on confidentiality in terms of our engagement with An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces. We do not have a tradition of that in our political system. We must consider the nature of modern threats. It is not project

families across our country who have proud traditions with Óglaigh na hÉireann. I welcome the fact we now have the largest Defence Forces budget that we have ever had in our country, but we have a long way to go in terms of investing in the capabilities … properly investing in our national security. On the Deputy's specific question on mid-life extensions, I will ask the Defence Forces for the latest information on that. I will provide that to the Deputy in writing

update on her actions to date to ensure cadet pay is increased to bring cadets in line with other entrants into the Defence Forces; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33214/26

Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Defence the number of personnel who have joined the three branches of the Defence Forces in 2026; the number who have been discharged, retired, or otherwise left service; her views on recruitment in 2025 and 2026; her plans to increase

Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Defence her views on the fact that no adjudicator has been in place for the Defence Forces conciliation and arbitration scheme since June 2025. [33407/26

update on her commitment to produce legislation to underpin the appointment of and status of military chaplains including mechanism for representation by a Defence Forces representative association; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33415/26

Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Defence the current total number of members of the Reserve Defence Forces, based in each county, and the corresponding figures for 1996, 2001, 2006, 2011, 2016 and 2021. [33099/26

James O'Connor asked the Minister for Defence if she will outline any improvements to pay and working conditions for members of the Defence Forces; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32728/26

Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Defence if she will provide necessary benefits and improve the quality of work for Defence Forces personnel in accordance with the European Social Charter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33102/26

Minister for Defence if she will provide an update on the current situation in South Lebanon; the current activities and conditions of the Defence Forces on the UNIFIL mission; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32718/26

Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Defence the timeframe for the appointment of an adjudicator for the Defence Forces conciliation and arbitration scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33123/26

Defence the progress made to date on reviewing the structure of the Army, taking into account the recommendation of the Commission on the Defence Forces; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33328/26

formal lateral transfer policy for experienced personnel from other militaries; whether any such policy is being actively progressed by her Department or the Defence Forces; whether it is intended to include such a pathway in the forthcoming Workforce Plan; and if she will make a statement

Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Defence if she will quantify the amount of non-lethal equipment that the Defence Forces have donated to their Ukrainian counterparts since the start of the Russo-Ukrainian War; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32714/26

transfer policy for experienced personnel from other militaries; whether any proposals in this regard are being actively examined by her Department or the Defence Forces; and the Government’s policy position on the introduction of such a pathway. [25477/26

Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Defence the number of recruitment applications the Defence Forces received, approved and rejected in each respective year from 2021 to 2025 inclusive and to date in 2026, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32978/26

Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Defence the functions formerly performed by the Defence Forces that the Government has outsourced since 2020. [33100/26

Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Defence the additional defence and security costs that will arise from protecting the Celtic Interconnector; whether the Defence Forces currently have the capacity to meet the demands associated with protecting this critical subsea infrastructure; if she will outline any planned increases

Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Defence to report on any progress made in the investigations into the death of a Defence Forces member who was killed on duty in Lebanon (details supplied); when the independent post-incident inquiry will be published; and if she will

Deputy Paula Butterly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she will provide a list of all capital projects, including Defence Forces infrastructure projects, delivered under the remit of her Departments which have been completed on time and within budget in Louth in each

Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she will provide a list of all capital projects, including Defence Forces infrastructure projects, delivered under the remit of her Department which have been completed on time and within budget in Dublin in each

Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she will provide a list of all capital projects, including Defence Forces infrastructure projects, delivered under the remit of her Department which have been completed on time and within budget in the Wicklow Wexford constituency

Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Defence if she will provide a list of all capital projects, including Defence Forces infrastructure projects, delivered under the remit of her Departments which have been completed on time and within budget in Dublin West in each of the past five

Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Defence if she will provide a list of all capital projects, including Defence Forces infrastructure projects, delivered under the remit of her Department which have been completed on time and within budget in Dublin in each of the past five years

Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Defence if she will provide a list of all capital projects, including Defence Forces infrastructure projects, delivered under the remit of her Department which have been completed on time and within budget in the Wicklow Wexford constituency in each

Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she will provide a list of all capital projects, including Defence Forces infrastructure projects, delivered under the remit of her Department which have been completed on time and within budget in Carlow in each

Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she will provide a list of all capital projects, including Defence Forces infrastructure projects, delivered under the remit of her Department which have been completed on time and within budget in Kilkenny in each