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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

asked the Minister for Defence her views on the revised defence plan deadlines in the detailed implementation plan for the transformation of the Defence Forces that have been pushed out again by Government, which will result in major defence projects such as the anti-drone CUAS system being

Palestinians are facing catastrophic levels of hunger while another 1 million are facing emergency levels of hunger. The State of Israel and its defence forces are deliberately starving the Palestinian people. They have blocked all food aid to Gaza since 2 March and, in the words … Israeli defence minister, no humanitarian aid will enter Gaza. The shiploads of food exported from Ireland during the Famine can be compared to the 3,000 truckloads of food being blocked by the Israel Defense Forces on the borders of Gaza. I acknowledge and appreciate the Taoiseach

take lectures from the leader of Sinn Féin, who last week eulogised an individual involved in the killing of a member of the Defence Forces. This country will always show solidarity with the people of Ukraine. We will always put the defence and security of this country first

felons be accustomed to. When the Free State was founded, this homophobic bigotry was enshrined in law again in the running of our Defence Forces where consensual activity was deemed a military offence subject to court martial. That was reinforced as late as in the Defence … escape. There was no space for people who did not conform. This was also the time of the Magdalen laundries, the industrial schools, forced adoption and record incarceration in psychiatric hospitals. For gay men, the State was against them, the church was against them and in many cases

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

country to realise our ambition more quickly and more efficiently. I am determined to provide for the development of a full spectrum of Defence Forces capabilities that will bring Ireland in line with other similar-sized European countries when it comes to defence and security. The Government continues

military aggression, Russia has killed thousands of Ukrainians, occupied parts of the country, devastated towns and cities, deported thousands of Ukrainian children, has forced over 14 million people from their homes and has deepened the scourge of global hunger. Russia intentionally cripples Ukrainian infrastructure and tortures its servicemen … early September. Three Reacher bomb disposal robots were delivered to the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, UDCG, demining coalition in mid September. The Defence Forces will deliver a further training module of basic training to Ukrainian armed forces personnel via EUMAM Ukraine. This will take to 23 the total

world where borders can be redrawn by force and where the UN Charter is treated as a footnote, small countries like us will be the first to lose. Supporting Ukraine is not a departure from neutrality; it is a defence of the international order that protects our neutral … sure we can defend ourselves as a neutral state. I will support the new Minister for Defence when she is investing in our Defence Forces and investing in our radar and our capabilities because we must ensure that we protect ourselves

think Sinn Féin has any credibility with the public when it comes to telling people where the Defence Forces are going to enter conflict or where any Irish man or woman is going to enter conflict versus the defence of peace. For decades in this country, Sinn Féin

Army for Whitegate refinery on Wednesday, 8 April. The next day, the Minister made public that a request was being made to the Defence Forces. The Minister, Deputy McEntee, was not informed until just before the request went in. Deputy McEntee is the Minister for Defence

Will his officials engage directly with me on the next steps? I express my own gratitude to the men and women of our Defence Forces for their continued service and bravery, both at home and abroad. Given today is the 75th anniversary for our Civil Defence, I congratulate

with no real follow through. On Thursday morning the justice Minister ratcheted up the tension by announcing that the assistance of the Defence Forces had been requested. In his rush to get on the airwaves, it appears he neglected to consult with the Minister for Defence. His intervention

Defense Forces air base. The F-35 fighter jets have dropped 900 kg bombs on Gaza. It is a significant issue that our Defence Forces and our territory would facilitate these flights happening. If The Ditch can get to the heart of the contents of those flights

recent announcement of the approval of a further 22 new settlements in the West Bank, an action openly described by the Israeli defence minister as “a strategic move that prevents the establishment of a Palestinian state”. The implications of this are clear … force plays a valuable role. I was able to see at first hand the important contribution of the men and women of the Defence Forces serving in UNIFIL when I visited Lebanon in March. In my meeting with my Lebanese counterparts, they impressed on me the important role

priority for me as Minister for Defence and for the Irish Government. I also thank their families for the sacrifices they make. To address the incident referred to, while the Irish patrol was not directly targeted by the Israel Defense Forces in the incident … regard to the deployment of our personnel in UNIFIL. The Department is also regularly kept apprised of all developments in those areas where Defence Forces personnel are deployed. There are robust force protection measures in place to support the security and safety of all personnel, and these measures

treaties were supposed to put this question to bed. Yet here we are today, as the Taoiseach poses as judge, jury and executioner, forcing a political stroke on this House that will have ramifications on my constituents and around this island for years to come. The Taoiseach … himself on his imaginary scorecard, but for my constituents in Kildare, particularly the vast number who serve in the Defence Forces and their families, this is an affront to them. It is not for the Taoiseach to play politics with people’s livelihoods and safety as he hurtles

that a person can bring pets, etc. There are sports clubs on the edge of it, and it is the home of the Defence Forces and, in the main, to the Irish racing industry. We cannot continue to see the destruction of the Curragh of Kildare

appalling attack. It underscored the vulnerability of those serving in the unique and vital role of military chaplains to our Defence Forces. I am seeking an update - I know it was discussed recently - on the issue of representation for chaplains working for and paid by the Department

Irish Sea. I absolutely support at least getting to level of ambition 2, referred to in the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces, and going further. This has to be part of that. I know the Minister of State will agree that there are massive deficits

This will support the provision of non-lethal military equipment in priority areas identified by Ukraine, for example non-lethal elements of air defence such as radar systems and anti-drone jamming devices. Ireland has committed approximately €250 million in non-lethal military support to Ukraine under … agreement at EU level, we have stepped up our bilateral support. Since the full-scale invasion, the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces have also provided non-lethal military equipment to the Ukrainian armed forces which include mine clearance flails, vehicles, body armour, ready-to-eat meals

interests? I have heard multiple Deputies talk about enforcement in our seas. I also recently submitted a parliamentary question in regard to the Defence Forces being properly resourced to defend key ports and monitor vessels travelling through Irish territorial waters. I would like the Minister of State

presence of both Israeli and Hezbollah ground forces in the area and the exchange of airstrikes and missile attacks leave southern Lebanon very vulnerable to further conflict. I discussed the situation and these concerns with the Lebanese ministers for defence and foreign affairs during my visit to Lebanon … part of the UNIFIL peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon. I had the absolute honour to meet those 339 women and men of the Defence Forces. I thank them for the work they are doing in building peace in the region

important to note that we do not try to divide up Ireland's protections into different spheres, whether it is the Defence Forces or what comes within the ambit of the Department of justice. Huge collaboration is ongoing across Government. At present, my Department is engaging with

very clear that the purpose is to adjust and amend the Defence Act so we can continue to either dispatch our Defence Forces personnel for service outside of the State, or make sure they stay part of the peacekeeping missions they are currently part of. We know that … align us with any other military force. This is to make sure that we can continue to deploy our service personnel, our men and women of Óglaigh na hÉireann, overseas for peacekeeping missions. Government approval for the text of the Defence (Amendment) Bill was received on 9 June

each of the years 2019 to 2025 inclusive; how this compares to any target sea days figure recommended by the Commission on the Defence Forces or set by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17569/26

administrative body including staff costs, consultancy, accommodation, travel, information technology systems, and all other administrative expenditure; the total amount spent directly on the Defence Forces including pay, equipment, training, fuel, ammunition, and all operational expenditure; the ratio this represents between administrative and operational spending; and if she will

total payroll cost of these civil servants in the most recent financial year; how this compares to the total payroll cost of uniformed Defence Forces personnel at equivalent grades; the current ratio of civil servants to uniformed personnel; how this ratio has changed in each year since

Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Defence the recruitment criteria for the Irish Defence Forces; the recruitment per year from 2020 to date in 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16336/26

Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Defence to detail the potential Defence Forces overtime, associated costs and security planning for the upcoming Presidency of the EU; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17219/26

Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Defence the public procurement processes to be used for the Defence Forces capital investment plans, particularly in acquiring military radar programme, helicopters, replacement of PC-9M fleet, RPAS/drone, armoured fleet replacement and so on; if there will be a defined

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence the projected strength of the Permanent Defence Forces for each of the years 2026, 2027 and 2028, broken down by Army, Naval Service and Air Corps; and the projected inductions and projected discharges underpinning those projections. [15686/26

Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Defence if the maximum age limit to join the Defence Forces will be increased from 39 years of age; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15214/26

activities of the Irish Military Intelligence Service (IMIS); the name of the current Director of the IMIS; the number of members of the Defence Forces and civilian staff serving in the IMIS; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15588/26

Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Defence the number of outsourced services in the Defence Forces and the plans to bring them back in-house; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14547/26

January 2026, when the information regarding 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 will

place an accelerated programme of naval vessel replacement in 2028, as highlighted in the Updated Detailed Implementation Plan for the Commission of the Defence Forces given no capital funding has been allocated out to 2030; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14968/26

Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Defence to outline the proposals she is implementing in relation to recruitment in Defence Forces; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15148/26

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence whether her Department has set formal annual retention targets for the Permanent Defence Forces; if so, the specific percentage attrition ceiling or numerical retention target set for each service; the key performance indicators used to measure retention

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence whether changes to eligibility criteria for recruitment into the Permanent Defence Forces are under consideration; whether non-citizen eligibility expansion is being examined; and to outline the policy rationale for any such proposals. [13867/26

Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Defence the present enlistment in the Permanent Defence Forces; the proposals there are to increase recruitment and improve retention levels in 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13943/26

Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Defence the number of people who have joined the Defence Forces since 2020, broken down by each year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13222/26

Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Defence the number of people who have left the Defence Forces since 2020, broken down by each year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13223/26

Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Defence if she will outline those duties and services formerly completed internally by Defence Forces personnel that have now been outsourced or privatised, in each of the years since 2018, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement

strategic HR and cultural change to be delivered under the updated Implementation Plan for the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces. [12374/26

Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Defence the number of people currently enlisted in the Reserve Defence Force; the measures that will be taken to increase the number enlisted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12482/26

Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Defence the measures being taken to increase recruitment into the Permanent Defence Force; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12481/26

James O'Connor asked the Minister for Defence her plans to achieve a greater balance of numbers across the three services in the Defence Forces; the measures to be taken in this regard, specifically for the Naval Service; and if she will make a statement on the matter

Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Defence if she has considered altering height requirements with regard to enlistment eligibility for the Defence Forces. [12474/26

Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Defence the way the new strategic framework for the transformation of the Defence Forces will enhance digital and data transformation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12172/26