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deeply misleading briefing concerning the 1988 shooting in Portlaoise prison? The prison officer, Mr. Sean O'Brien, was seriously injured when Defence Forces personnel fired live ammunition at him when he tried to prevent the escape of Patrick McVeigh, a man wanted at the time for extradition … McVeigh alone and under fire. There is also RTÉ footage of that. Will the Minister open an investigation with the Department of Defence? If it is found that there are discretions, will we award Mr. Sean O'Brien a medal for extraordinary bravery and a pension he deserves

Government put a plan forward but many would say that it reneged on that, particularly around pay and the poor conditions. The Defence Forces' lack of anti-drone capability has quickly become an embarrassment to Ireland on the European stage. We had to go cap in hand … just another missed deadline. It is a laundry list of missed and failed deadlines that sums up the Government's defence policy. Is the Government just saving the systems from wear and tear? When will the Government deliver a counter-unmanned aerial system, C-UAS? We need

important to commend the Lebanese Government on its efforts to deploy the Lebanese armed forces into the south and exert a monopoly of force throughout the country. Israel's continued occupation of parts of Lebanon breaches international law. It is important that Ireland encourages the steps being taken … heightened tension in the region. While it is true that in May, the Irish Government approved the continued participation of the Irish Defence Forces in UNIFIL for a further period of 12 months, if UNIFIL's UN mandate is not renewed when it expires on 31 August, which

crown of the whole county. It is 4,870 acres of historic and, in the main, undeveloped land. It is home to our Defence Forces, the racing industry and a large number of sheep farmers, along with a number of magnificent sports clubs. As well as being home … years, I have been raising concerns about the growing number of illegal encampments on the Curragh. In 2024, for example, the Department of Defence spent €186,000 cleaning up after illegal encampments on the Curragh. This is the Curragh of Kildare where there are currently two battlefield sites

raised from 58 in 2024. It is the same for all uniformed services, including the Irish Prison Service, An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces. A firefighter may retire upon attaining the minimum age of 55 years. If a firefighter wishes to serve beyond that age, the fire … provided that the then Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform could make orders enabling line Ministers - justice, defence and housing - to make regulations regarding the retirement age of uniformed services. Regulations were made in August 2024, with the consent of then Minister for public

Representative Association of Commissioned Officers. The claim is being dealt with under the conciliation and arbitration scheme for members of the Permanent Defence Forces. The Deputy will appreciate the discussions under the conciliation and arbitration scheme are confidential but I look forward to, and hope we can have … broadly, we need to make sure we are doing everything that we can to focus on increased recruitment and retention. We have a defence sector working group, which was established to examine the representative associations' proposals. We are working with RACO and PDFORRA proposals under local bargaining. What

Will the Taoiseach withdraw the very cruel cut that has been imposed on Defence Forces reservists? Up until September, they were not paid a large amount; it was €92 per day for the vast majority of working operations in which they were involved. However, from September of this … They are currently getting paid for a much more narrow range of activities. I tabled a written parliamentary question to the Minister for Defence who replied that a business case is being prepared. However, is this not a simple decision that the cut should be reversed

important to have an even greater level of clarity in terms of interagency response. I will certainly reflect and engage with the Defence Forces in my own Department regarding the medical skills and assistance point. I thank the Deputy for making that point. I agree with Deputy Daly … telecommunications network goes down? We are all so reliant on technology these days. What is available in terms of the Civil Defence? Without pre-empting the review, I am very confident that mapping that out better at a local level and the Government resourcing, financing and supporting

been forgotten on the far side of the House. I represent North Kildare, which is a constituency with a high number of Defence Forces personnel, some of whom are based in the Curragh and many others who travel into Dublin on a daily basis, to Baldonnel or different … changed, and we have a proud tradition. We have a tradition of helping other countries. We have a tradition of sending peacekeeping forces as we wished and we were neutral even prior to the UN. This will change nothing. Instead, these changes will renew our ability to pursue

every incident is necessarily relayed or the subject of a complaint made in terms of overall complaints to UNIFIL and the Israel Defense Forces concerning military fire, whether on Irish personnel or otherwise. This information is not ordinarily provided by the UN. There are situations and scenarios where … stages, the situation will continue to be assessed. I have spoken to the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces about this. He has been very clear that, as the mission scales back, our troops will be kept safe, and if changes need to be made

seeing now is overwhelmingly driven by global events. Stepping away from our long-term approach would not shield households from those global forces. What it would do, however, is delay the transition that ultimately gives greater control over our energy future. When people adopt a simplistic approach … engaging in opportunistic pricing at a time like this. Before I conclude, it would be remiss of me not to recognise our Defence Forces and the diplomatic corps who are working in the region for the protection of Irish people and also for the protection of Lebanese citizens

years now being activated. We note the request from the United States Government for assistance from the Ukrainian Government with regard to defence mechanisms. The Irish Government has been equally clear Iran cannot be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon. Our view was the legitimate concerns … closely monitoring the situation in Lebanon. As the Minister mentioned, we have a strong connection with Lebanon honed through years of our Defence Forces' presence through UNIFIL. Our Minister has maintained daily contact with our Chief of Staff and with the troops on the ground. Those troops

some of the contributions from the Opposition on the Bill. It is absolutely incredible that our Opposition disrespect and do not trust our Defence Forces, do not trust our independent State and do not trust our sovereignty, and want others to make decisions for us. This independence … make for honest debate. From a Louth perspective, and I will give Deputy Healy a little bit of history, the former Minister for defence and for external affairs, Frank Aiken, who is often spoken about as a reason to keep the triple lock, spoke about the rationale

Through the Chair, we need to acknowledge that and the very effective work of An Garda Síochána and our Defence Forces. There is a lot of noise which suits other interests to portray Ireland in a certain light. The Deputy should be wary of that, too. Deputy Lawless … funding, frankly, and finance will not be an issue here. What is an issue is the procurement timelines, both within the European defence industry and more generally. We are working to see if we can accelerate procurement. We are doing that with the radar. That

leave or move their children who are now in schools and have friends. It would not be fair at this stage to force them to leave where they are, but we need them to work and play their part and for whatever benefits they get, like anyone … other country in Europe because we need gas for electricity. What is important to us - Europe will say it must build up its defence forces and so forth - is our neutrality. I would hate to think that this would trigger our removal from being neutral and cause

Minister of State is engaging in distraction tactics. I want to agree with the Minister of State's comments thanking our Defence Forces and their families for the contribution they make. I fully agree with the Minister of State on that. Ireland has a proud role in this … Minister of State's party leader, the Taoiseach, Deputy Martin, told the Dáil when in opposition that: Earlier this year, the Minister for Defence signalled that he would try to water down Ireland's commitment to the triple lock, which is at the core of our neutrality

officially achieved in 1993. As was said earlier, this removed the colonial-era laws of the Brits that had previously been in force here. Among the activists involved was a man with whom I served a term, the bold former Senator, David Norris. He took the legal challenge … recent and, as Deputy O'Reilly said, it is within easy living memory. We also had members of the Defence Forces who were convicted in military courts for having same-sex sexual relationships. To be discharged dishonourably and shamed must have been horrific for them. Like many working

with water from Pollardstown Fen. The Currragh is used for legitimate purposes. Sheep are grazed there, the bloodstock industry uses it and the Defence Forces has its headquarters there. It was also used during the British occupation. It is an amenity that is used for numerous recreational purposes … been the regular establishment over the past decade of illegal encampments on the plains. I pay tribute to the former Minister for Defence and the current Tánaiste, Deputy Simon Harris. He was the first person to seriously tackle that matter. Once he got his teeth into

Government and previous Governments. Fine Gael has been in power since 2011 and Fianna Fáil since at least 2016. The fact our Defence Forces have been so run down, to the extent that we do not have enough sailors to man our ships or enough airmen … deputy leader of Fianna Fáil, says he is opposed to the abolition of the triple lock. Deputy Willie O'Dea, former Minister for Defence, says he is opposed to the abolition of triple lock. Even the current Taoiseach has said that the triple lock is at the core

Council in Dublin Castle was, if Members can pardon the pun, a real "Ode to Joy" - from the band of the Defence Forces and the National Youth Choir who heralded the hanging of the Irish, EU and then the Ukrainian flags, to all the other performers … addressing the geopolitical challenges such as the aforementioned war in Ukraine and other global conflicts, and in terms of building resilience and defence capacity, which President Costa mentioned as well. On a related note, I mentioned at the EU affairs committee of which I am a member

Maurice McCabe, who is in the Gallery, and An Garda Síochána; Noel McGree and the Irish Prison Service; Yvonne O'Rourke and the Defence Forces; John Barrett and An Garda Síochána; and Ciarán Kenneally and Tusla. There are many more from local authorities across this country … standing legacy effectively destroyed. The situation escalated further when the council pursued criminal convictions against an innocent member of the family without a defence or support of the allegations. For absolute clarity, nothing in what I am proposing would weaken the public right to a legal action against

Commission defence initiative seeks to mobilise more than €800 billion in additional defence-related investment. I am not against investment in our own Defence Forces, which of course should have been done, or military spending in general. I wonder about the agenda behind it all because they … difficulty is that it is proposing to remove an important restraint at precisely the moment when Europe is experiencing an unprecedented expansion of defence structures, defence budgets and military ambitions. That inevitably raises very serious questions, particularly when major defence firms have significantly expanded their lobbying operations

thank colleagues for attending the opening ceremony but particularly wish to use this opportunity to thank the wonderful choir, Defence Forces band, artists and singers, in particular those who contributed today. They really added to the sense of occasion and gave people a sense of what … absolute priority. We will continue to demand a just and lasting peace, upholding the fundamental principle that borders cannot be changed by force. It is time for Russia to agree to a ceasefire and to engage in meaningful negotiations towards peace. The Irish Presidency will work to maintain

heart of this debate. We currently require a UN mandate - Deputy Gibney was incorrect on this - to send even one member of the Defence Forces abroad for peacekeeping. The 12 figure quoted by many people refers to the threshold for Dáil approval. That is part of the reason … need reform. The consequences of failing to reform the triple lock are not hypothetical. We were forced to leave, by law, Operation Irini in the Mediterranean. Everybody else stayed behind. Our soldiers, who had been proudly serving in the most humanitarian of ways, had to go home. That

Deputy Dolan on the review and the response, there will be a review. At the most recent meeting of the Government task force on emergency planning on 11 March, it was agreed that a review of the response to Storm Éowyn would be submitted to Government … people could come to shower, to charge phones, to contact people and so on. I am very keen to see that developed. The Defence Forces are brought in by the civil authority. They can only come in if they are asked by the local authorities. Local authorities lead

Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Defence if she will report on the revised detailed implementation plan for the Commission on the Defence Forces; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12171/26

Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Defence if her Department will accelerate the recommendations in the Commission on the Defence Forces; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12527/26

Defence the actions being taken in response to findings that Ireland is in breach of the European Social Charter in relation to Defence Forces pay, overtime and public holiday arrangements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12464/26

Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Defence the measures being taken to deal with the recruitment and retention crisis in the Defence Force; when she expects staffing levels to reach 11,500 personnel; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12111/26

joint structures to be established to be delivered under the updated Implementation Plan for the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces. [12375/26

Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Defence if there are any plans to review current levels of pay for cadets in the Defence Forces; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12000/26

been found in breach of the European Social Charter Council of Europe Treaty over the prohibition on overtime for members of the Defence Forces. [12163/26

Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Defence the number of Defence Forces personnel required under level of ambition 2; the current establishment figure; and the current number within each service. [12473/26

Defence her response to the recent findings of the European Committee of Social Rights against the Government for not paying members of the Defence Forces premiums for public holidays and overtime; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12001/26

asked the Minister for Defence if she will provide an update on the Implementation Plan for the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12485/26

Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Defence the actions she has taken to resolve the issue whereby 85% of Defence Force buildings in Cork are uninhabitable. [12458/26

whether her Department has conducted any research or analysis on the impact of the abolition of the supplementary pension for members of the Defence Forces on recruitment and retention; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12513/26

Heneghan asked the Minister for Defence if she will confirm that adequate planning, advance notice and operational coordination have been provided to the Defence Forces in respect of Ireland’s upcoming EU Presidency; if she is satisfied that sufficient personnel, funding and logistical resources will be in place

Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Defence the steps being taken to increase the Reserve Defence Forces; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12456/26

asked the Minister for Defence to list, for each of the last 20 years, the size of each of the branches of the Defence Forces. [12450/26

Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Defence the establishment figure of the Defence Forces in last 50 years and the reason it has changed to its current figure. [12451/26

Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Defence the way the recommendations of the independent review group and the Commission on the Defence Forces are being implemented, including reforms to leadership structures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12808/26

Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Defence the current strength of the Permanent Defence Forces, disaggregated by Army, Air Corps and Naval Service; the establishment strength for each branch; the projected strength for end-2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12909/26

Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Defence the status of the Reserve Defence Force in Cork, including numbers attached to units in the Southern Brigade; the level of training days completed in 2024 and 2025; whether additional supports are planned to improve recruitment and retention

Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Defence the progress made in implementing the recommendations of the Commission on the Defence Forces relating to pay reform, career progression and specialist allowances; the measurable impact these measures have had on retention; and if she will make a statement

Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Defence the current capability of the Defence Forces to respond to unauthorised drone activity over critical infrastructure, including ports, energy installations and airports in Cork; whether counter-drone technology has been procured; and if she will make a statement

Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Defence the number of Defence Forces personnel currently availing of military-provided accommodation in Cork; the condition of such accommodation; whether upgrades are planned; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12916/26

Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Defence the number of serving members of the Defence Forces based in Cork who have applied for discharge in each of the past three years; the primary reasons cited for leaving service; the measures being taken to address these issues

plans to review the fast accrual (uniformed) single public service pension scheme for members recruited post-2013 in An Garda Síochána, the Defence Forces, Fire Service and Prison Service. [11917/26

Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Defence whether she will publish a forward schedule for remaining Defence Forces competitions, similar to the CAO model, to allow prospective applicants to plan their careers in advance; the timelines and terms and conditions for the 2027 intakes no later than