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been let down badly by a system that is obliged to protect and support people, and who have been abused, humiliated, diminished and forced out of their work, we owe you all a system of whistleblowing that works as it was always intended … into question. This is a matter that requires vigilance. A Deputy mentioned earlier the cases of protective disclosures made by members of the Defence Forces Justice Alliance. Those very same issues that were raised involve concerns being expressed over the independence of those who may be handling complaints

eventually all but a handful of the Members of that historic Assembly committed themselves to the common cause of making Dáil Éireann a force for delivering sustained progress for the Irish people. It is right and proper that this is a place where our primary focus … national security issues and we need further sustained investment in Óglaigh na hÉireann. For the first time since 2017, the numbers in our Defence Forces have grown during this year in net terms. My party believes that we have to build on this progress, expand numbers further

witnessed horrors in Gaza and the West Bank. I call out the genocide that has happened and the disgraceful actions of the Israel Defence Forces. I spoke in the first debate we had on the Middle East. I checked back over the Official Record … lock are actually in favour of destroying Irish neutrality. They are in favour of handing over our powers to decide on our future defence and security policy to Washington, Moscow or Beijing. It is very easy for us in this country to speak about the horrors happening

authorisation from the United Nations nor has any attempt been made to seek such an authorisation. Ireland’s position on the use of force outside such a context is well established and known. Ireland’s position is equally clear that all states must abide by international … long, other people have made Lebanon their battleground, and we have sought, both politically and especially through the work of our Defence Forces, to assist the people of Lebanon in regaining the stability and prosperity that were once the envy of the Middle East. It is deeply distressing

Today, we remember Brian Stack not only as a victim of the Troubles, but alongside those members of An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces who, as public servants, made the ultimate sacrifice in service of the State during this time. As the Taoiseach has rightly said, this

person sums this up really well. Our neutrality is a core part of who we are. For decades, it has allowed our Defence Forces to do incredible independent, peacekeeping and humanitarian work across the world without being dragged into global conflicts. Stripping away the requirement

reaffirmed its commitment to the retention of the triple lock of the UN mandate authorisation and Government and Dáil approval prior to committing Defence Forces personnel on overseas service. Fianna Fáil's 2020 manifesto said it, so what has changed? How is Fianna Fáil now somehow claiming that

change would require a referendum. This Bill relates to UN peacekeeping. Irish troops have served in UN missions since 1958. Our Defence Forces have distinguished themselves on more than 76,000 individual tours of duty; and 48 Irish soldiers have given their lives for peace in Lebanon alone

also seeing this issue emerge in Lebanon. These are not hypothetical concerns. They are real limitations with real consequences for our Defence Forces and our international engagement. Without reform, our options will narrow and our ability to sustain the peacekeeping contribution we have made for more than

sanctioned, not just by the United Nations Security Council but by the General Assembly, can and would be carried out by the Defence Forces in Ireland with the approval of Dáil Éireann. There is nothing in this Bill that is in any shape or form undermining multilateralism

particular is the mission in Lebanon, where we have a proud record of peacekeeping, and which encourages many people to join the Defence Forces in order to be part of the peacekeeping forces overseas. Many people they know, perhaps family members, would have served on such missions

sufficient on its own. I also want to raise questions about the chair of the commission due to her previous role in the Defence Forces

role, it seems, in challenging that culture. In 2004, after issues were raised by now-Senator Clonan, the major general said that the Defence Forces have an incredible structure for tackling sensitive issues, to use her words. Twenty more years of bullying, harassment and abuse emerged. There

budget of the Department of Health. As I said, it is why we have had an increase in funding for the Garda, the Defence Forces and for all our public services. Importantly, this was a budget that made sure that those working, whether on the lowest wage, where

profitably produce a safe and sustainable food supply. It brings us to a place where we invest in the Garda and in the Defence Forces to keep our communities and our country safe and secure. Underpinning all of this, it is crucial that we drive faster delivery with

Government on military radar, a system we will not have in operation until 2028. Meanwhile, the recruitment and retention crisis in the Defence Forces persists. There are glittering announcements on basic income for the arts, while applicants from May continue to be left in the dark about whether

giving €2 billion to Ukraine to keep the war going, but it is making much ado about giving €1.6 billion to the Defence Forces here. One thing I should have mentioned in relation to green diesel and the construction workers is that they were tied into contracts

Tánaiste is aware, the Defence Forces have confirmed that they intend to dispose of armoured personnel carriers. These are vehicles they no longer require. Has a decision been made in respect of inviting tenders to be submitted to facilitate the sale? Would consideration be given for a charitable

Government. This is not an argument that defence companies should be prohibited in Ireland, nor is it an argument for investing in our Defence Forces; it is an argument about public money and State assets. Therefore, ministerial oversight is critical. I was not convinced by the Committee Stage

shortfall of €600 million in the education budget. Unfortunately, it seems that this year we are seeing more of the same. The Defence Forces are now cutting student officer rations in a miserly and desperate effort to save €12 million. His flagship policy this year seems

same protections and safeguards that have existed up until now. Decades of neglect mean that we need to absolutely invest in our Defence Forces, in the equipment and conditions they need to do their job safely, but the Government cannot allow this to be used as a smoke

that it is our triple lock and our neutrality that undermines our capacity to have defensive resilience when it comes to improving our Defence forces, including our Naval Service and radar capacity. That is actually just a Government failure. There is nobody across this House who would

point of view, in peacekeeping, etc. Being neutral and having the triple lock does not prevent us in any way from deploying our Defence Forces personnel overseas on rescue missions or for humanitarian purposes. The Minister confirmed that to me in the committee just a few short months

have been mortified by that situation, but it does not. When Fine Gael came to power in 2011, the strength of the Irish Defence Forces was 9,650. It is now 7,767. The navy had eight functional ships; now it has fewer than four. Fine Gael

money. There is no accountability in terms of where that money goes. We have to stand by our neutrality. I wholeheartedly compliment our Defence Forces on their service abroad, going back to the Congo and in many different war zones. They are held in high esteem

Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Defence the number of vacancies by rank currently in the Defence Forces Equitation School; the timeframe for filling each of those vacancies, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8187/26

Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Defence if she will address concerns regarding Defence Forces activity on the Curragh, raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7232/26

Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Defence the number of females that applied to join each branch of Defence Forces in each cadetship and or general services recruitment campaign in 2025, in tabular form. [5549/26

Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the Defence Forces will be reimbursed for equipment donations provided to Ukraine under the €100 million in bilateral funding for non-lethal military assistance; whether any such funding will be used to support National Development Plan

Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Defence her views on the adequacy of the existing level of equipment available to the Defence Forces; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3463/26

Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Defence the position regarding any proposals to increase capital expenditure on military equipment for the Defence Forces; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3464/26

Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Defence the position regarding any assessment of the readiness and preparedness of the Defence Forces in the context of an increasingly volatile international climate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3465/26

Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Defence for 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. [3536/26

Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Defence the number of new recruits entering the Defence Forces in 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3554/26

Question No. 177 of 17 September 2025, if she will publish the detailed implementation plan for the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces, which her predecessor committed to publishing in October 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3803/26

Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Defence for an update on the implementation of the Reserve Defence Force Regeneration and Development Plan as it relates to the Naval Service Reserve; the current status of Action 22; any decisions made on the future structure, geographic footprint, and establishment

Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Defence when the rehearsals studio for the Defence Forces school of music was last refurbished; when it is next scheduled for refurbishment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3842/26

Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Defence the advertisement budget allocation for the Defence Forces in 2025 and 2026, in tabular form. [4180/26

Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Defence in relation to the recent visit of President Zelenskyy, the time that the Defence Forces saw unknown drones referred to in media reports; when the last one was seen; and if she will make a statement on the matter

Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Defence regarding the recent visit of President Zelenskyy, the Defence Forces’ helicopters, if any, which were used during the visit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74042/25

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence the number of personnel inducted into the Permanent Defence Force; and the number remaining in service at six months, 12 months and 24 months after induction, by Army, Naval Service and Air Corps, in each of the years from

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence the number of personnel who left the Permanent Defence Force within 12 months of completing initial recruit training; the median length of service at exit; and the reason categories recorded in each of the years from

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence the authorised establishment strength and the actual strength of the Permanent Defence Forces at year-end for each year from 2020 to 2025 inclusive; and the total number of inductions and total exits in each year. [75309/25

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence the current retention strategy for the Permanent Defence Forces; the specific retention targets set by her Department; the key performance indicators used to measure retention; and the most recent results available against those indicators. [75310/25

Parliamentary Question No. 237 of 16 December 2025, 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

seek a detailed explanation for the delays with sending a Redress of Wrongs dated 22 July 2021 to the Workplace Commission by the Defence Forces with regard to discrimination. [2275/26

Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Defence if she and the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces are willing to meet a family (details supplied). [2279/26

Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Defence the number of current members of the Reserve Defence Force; the measures she has put in place to attract new members; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73352/25

Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Defence the recruitment programme for the Reserve Defence Force for 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73614/25

Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Defence the recruitment programme for the Permanent Defence Force for 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73615/25