Search the record

capabilities as a militarily neutral sovereign country. I fully agree with him and that is why the review of the Commission on the Defence Forces laid out three options and the Government is pursuing the second option. There has been a massive increase in resources to our cyberdefence

have not consented to it. Let us be clear that advocating for neutrality does not mean neglecting defence. Ireland absolutely needs properly funded defence forces. Our Naval Service, Air Corps and Army have been neglected for years. Recruitment and retention crises have been ignored. Investment is needed

commend the Minister and the Government on the continued investment in the Defence Forces and a significant increase in the budget and in cybersecurity. We know about the threats we face, including from the Russian shadow fleet operating in Irish waters. Will the Minister give us an update

Deputy for her own service and the unique insight she brings to debates in this House having served in Lebanon with our Defence Forces. I very much welcome the opportunity to update the House on my recent visit to Lebanon. A central focus of that visit

regarding radar, sonar, equipment and material that we need for our Defence Forces. We absolutely will be spending that money. Our neutrality is well known and well noted but during our Presidency, we will be the independent arbitrator in the Presidency chair for the needs and necessities

That neutrality must be underpinned by credibility and capability. We have already significantly increased our defence spending, with investment going towards modernising our Defence Forces and developing strategic capabilities. Maritime security has become increasingly vital because our exclusive economic zone is nearly seven times the size

state that is serious about protecting its citizens must have a fit for purpose defence force. This is even more relevant today when threats are more real and much more varied. We are a neutral country and we are geographically located in a relatively safe location

Ukraine, particularly on the mobilisation of the European Peace Facility support. We are going to continue to engage the Department of Defence. The Defence Forces have provided bilateral support to Ukraine, fully in accordance with our military neutrality and our commitment to providing non-lethal support. That support

career that is financially rewarding and rewarding on a skills level so that people feel they are part of something bigger, which our Defence Forces actually offer. However, we are still far behind where we need to be. A lot of the improvements will come from actions that

fully agree. If we want to not only attract people to the Defence Forces but to retain them, we need to make sure the environment that they are working and training in is fit for purpose and insofar as possible, that it is as modern … When you look at the next NDP and the capital plan for defence, we have €300 million being spent in 2026. In the next few years, it is rising to €360 million. When you break that down further and you look at how much we are investing

Gulf and the wider Middle East, and the implications for Lebanon, in particular. The Government remains deeply conscious and appreciative of Irish Defence Forces personnel, and all peacekeepers, currently serving under the UNIFIL mandate in south Lebanon. I again commend those members of Óglaigh na hÉireann, past … work of international peace and security, as I am sure all Members do. In addition, yesterday I attended the informal meeting of EU defence ministers in Nicosia in Cyprus. I can certainly discuss the meeting, but I do not have a full written report of the meeting

with neutrality. The idea that the legislation that references how Irish troops are deployed outside the State as part of international forces has nothing to do with neutrality is quite a statement. It is a remarkable suggestion that it has nothing to do with neutrality. My second point … important that we find other peacekeeping missions. It is important in terms of our standing internationally and the development of our Defence Forces. Irish troops currently participate in three of 11 peacekeeping missions. There are plenty of other peacekeeping missions to participate in. The Tánaiste referenced the Fine

Curragh of Kildare Act 1961. Under that Act, the Curragh Plains are recognised as a working environment for the State's Defence Forces as well as being a place of historical and cultural importance. As I have already stated, the Tánaiste remains absolutely and fully committed to pursuing … Curragh Plains conservation management plan, having been finalised and published in December 2024, is currently under consideration by officials in the Department of Defence. I take on board the Deputy's very sincere concern that this needs to be considered and acted upon in advance of the summer

security, at national and European level. Looking at the challenges we face with regard to moving the level of ambition within our Defence Forces to the next level, significant investment will be required and it is against this backdrop that it is time to replace that blanket constraint … their capacity to support Ireland's strategic objectives. It will allow the agencies to support, financially or non-financially, enterprises in the defence, security and resilience sphere, like other parts of our economy, but importantly it is subject to compliance with all existing controls and legal obligations governing

again raise the issue of Private Michael McNeela from Dundalk, who as a 21-year-old member of the Defence Forces made the ultimate sacrifice while peacekeeping in Lebanon. His mother, Kathleen, received an allowance or pension. Sadly, she died last year and Michael's father, John … number of engagements with the Tánaiste and officials on this. I know the Department of Social Protection was dealing with the Department of Defence. I am not very hopeful of that process providing a solution, although I am very glad it happened. I see the only solution being

mandate because that is the guarantee given to the people in the Seville declarations. The invention of the Common Security and Defence Policy, Partnership for Peace and other EU mechanisms poses a threat to Irish neutrality. They run the risk of us not acting for human rights … proud to hold as a nation state. We, as other parties do, support the mid-level funding that would see our Defence Forces brought back up to a level of functionality from where it is now that the Minister and Minister of State's Governments have allowed

approval, and (iii) a United Nations (UN) mandate through the General Assembly or Security Council for the deployment of more than 12 Irish Defence Forces personnel overseas; — that the Triple Lock mechanism was introduced to protect our military neutrality during the adoption of the Nice and Lisbon Treaties … that the Triple Lock and neutrality are intrinsically linked; — uphold the policy of neutrality and the Triple Lock as set out in the Defence (Amendment) (No. 2) Act, 1960 and the solemn national declarations attached to the Nice and Lisbon Treaties; — abide by the principal of multilateralism

brutality and states very clearly that even if crimes predate the Good Friday Agreement, anyone involved, whether terrorists or members of the security forces, should face consequences. I am mindful of the ongoing debate on legacy issues in the UK and the calls by some for a door … learn from history by engaging with it and by listening to those who lived through it. As a former member of the Defence Forces, I understand that justice for veterans without victims is an empty justice. To properly reconcile ourselves with the past, we must take into consideration

with the Russian vessel off our coast. The Government hesitated, delayed and dithered, and it was Irish fishers who stepped up, organised and forced the issue. Ordinary working people did what the State should have been prepared to do. I ask the Minister plainly. Will paragraph … other side of this, which is where the real concern lies. We are giving powers here for the deployment of the Defence Forces in aid of the Garda and explicitly allowing the use of force described as reasonable, proportionate and necessary. Fine words, but people have heard that

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

research bodies in accessing EU funding streams and providing support and opportunities to companies, especially SMEs, to develop technologies to keep our Defence Forces safe whether they are on missions and operations overseas or undertaking a range of duties at home and abroad. The minutes requested under Parliamentary … meetings, which took place in October 2024 and December 2024, have now been published on the website of the Department of Defence. Officials from my Department held a subsequent meeting with the IDSA on 10 April and the minutes of that meeting will be published on the Department

that there are now an estimated 20,000 Ukrainian children who have been forcibly transferred to areas under Russian control by the Russian defence forces. Think about that number - 20,000 children - and the impact that has on their families and, more importantly, the long-term trauma … touch on a number of questions that we as a country need to address in our own context with regard to security and defence. I will start by referencing the Russian shadow fleet. RTÉ has previously reported that, based on intelligence, 245 shadow fleet vessels have passed through

patrol our coastlines. I note the Government is talking about investing in remote control-type of weaponry. We should be paying our Defence Forces more. They do a great job, and we should be trying to get more personnel on board. As a neutral country - and I wholeheartedly … undersea cables. The UN Security Council is not fit for purpose. I agree with the Government about that. I also note that the defence (amendment) Bill will require that any overseas operations would still be grounded in the principles of the UN Charter and international humanitarian law, even

close contact with the Deputy on those issues as well. I thank him for his words of tribute to members of the Defence Forces. I am very conscious that, this week, men and women who have served in the 125th battalion in Lebanon are beginning to return home … women of Óglaigh na hÉireann and military families make is something we should rightly pay tribute to and acknowledge. The Civil Defence in the Deputy's own community, my community and across the country makes an incredible contribution. On its 75th anniversary, Deputy Devlin is so right

assistance because neutrality can never mean indifference. Compassion must be matched by action. In defence, we have delivered record funding to our Defence Forces and are on the trajectory to reach level of ambition 2. This is not simply about equipment; it is about respect … Minister for Health, Minister for further and higher education, Minister for Justice, Taoiseach, Tánaiste, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and Minister for Defence, I have always tried to work hard in service of the people. I have never claimed to be infallible

Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Defence the actions she has taken to improve pay and conditions in the Defence Forces. [12457/26

Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Defence if she will outline some of the new reforms for the Defence Forces which she has brought to Cabinet; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12471/26

overview of the services to be reformed and restructured under the updated Implementation Plan for the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces. [12376/26

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); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12378/26

Joint Capability Development to be put in place under the updated Implementation Plan for the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces. [12380/26

Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Defence the establishment figure of the Defence Forces; the number of personnel required to meet level of ambition 2; the current number of personnel; and her target for recruitment each year under this Government. [12520/26

Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Defence the number of naval vessels currently under the operations of the Defence Forces in Hauwboline, Cork; the number of these vessels that are presently operational and available for deployment; the reasons any vessels are non-operational, including staffing

Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Defence if recent reporting that the Defence Forces have informed the Gardaí that they are unable to provide anti-drone security for EU Presidency meetings is accurate; if so, the reason this is the case; and if she will make

Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Defence for her response on the issue of pension entitlements for personnel who joined the Defence Forces after 2013; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12519/26

Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Defence if the Defence Forces have the necessary equipment in place to detect military-type drones and bring them down if they pose a threat over Irish airspace; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12197/26

Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Defence the way the new strategic framework for the transformation of the Defence Forces will impact the Naval Service and Air Corps; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12174/26

Minister for Defence if she will provide an update on the provision of an Integrated Communications and Hearing Protection System for the Defence Forces; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12486/26

Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Defence the current shortfall in staffing levels across the Defence Forces; the timeframe to reach the targeting staffing levels; and the way in which the staffing shortfall impacts on our national security. [12370/26

Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Defence the measures being taken to resolve Defence Forces equipment deficits, as Ireland remains the only EU country without a sovereign military-grade primary radar system, leaving it unable to independently monitor its own airspace; and if she will make

examine or revise the Army Pensions Acts to ensure fair treatment of families who have lost loved ones who are members of the Defence Forces; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12379/26

European Committee on Social Rights that Ireland is in breach of the European Social Charter due to failure to provide members of the Defence Forces with holiday pay and overtime; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12511/26

European Committee of Social Rights conclusion that the Irish Government is in breach of the European Social Charter in terms of Defence Forces rights violations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12516/26

Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Defence to report on the Defence Forces capacity to provide an anti-drone umbrella; to confirm if that capacity is limited to Casement Aerodrome; the measures that will be put in place to expand that capacity; and if she will make

Gibney asked the Minister for Defence the reasons for delays in key defence projects in the updated Implementation Plan for the Commission on Defence Forces; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12515/26

Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Defence if there are a sufficient number of Defence Forces personal trained in the use of radar equipment to detect military type drones to monitor and bring down if necessary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12198/26

Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Defence the way the new strategic framework for the transformation of the Defence Forces will boost recruitment and retention levels; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12173/26

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deportation flights refuelling at Shannon airport, including those deporting Palestinians to the West Bank; if the Irish Defence Forces are providing security at Shannon Airport for ICE; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12468/26

asked the Minister for Defence by how much short of the establishment figure the combined current strength of the various branches of the Defence Forces is; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12469/26

asked the Minister for Defence the number of applicants who succeeded, withdrew or were rejected at each individual stage of recruitment for the Defence forces, for each of the years 2022 to 2025, in tabular form; the way these compare to other EU nations; and if she will

Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Defence the work being undertaken by her Department to improve housing conditions for members of the Defence Forces in the Curragh; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12382/26