have this included in the legislation as well. Where there will be a requirement to seek Government approval where the number of Defence Forces personnel is over a certain number, Dáil approval will still be triggered. There will still be a mechanism here in the Dáil to make
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In debates
held in such high regard and the only people who are losing out are us. We are losing out and our Defence Forces personnel are losing out. Regarding our military capabilities, knowledge and experience in working with other partners, we are going to lose out if we cannot
sovereign nation, the people here, democratically elected to this Chamber, are the ones who decide, with the advice of the Defence Forces, on exactly how we deploy our troops to peacekeeping missions? That is what the focus of this legislation is. I look forward to debating it with
both detection and mitigation. The Garda continues to build capacity. Additional funding has been given by the Government for this as well. The Defence Forces have an important role to play and they are also making significant investments in this
sector, an increase of €145 million over 2025.
I hear what the Deputy is saying about vetting but, whether it is with the Defence Forces, people who are applying to An Garda Síochána or those applying for citizenship, the timelines for some parts of vetting are outside
thank the Deputy for raising the issues he has raised. I am sure the Minister, Chief of Staff and management of the Defence Forces are following this discussion very closely. Any of the outstanding issues which the Deputy has raised and indeed any of the issues which will
come a long way from 55 to 62. That simply has to be acknowledged. It is and will have an impact on the Defence Forces and the Garda. While I did not catch his name, I appreciate the public service the gentleman
mirror and be wholly consistent with the position that the Government has taken with respect to the purchase of military equipment by the Defence Forces. It would also be important - I want to stress this - that from a national security perspective, it would make absolutely no sense
this off at the pass by introducing these types of provision by regulation, as has been the case in respect of the Defence Forces. The Minister should answer to the House as to why he has not done that.
In the absence of such a move, the only
regulations. This has been worked on for some time. We are simply putting it on a new statutory footing. I repeat that the Defence Forces provide aid to the civil power, for example, An Garda Síochána, at least 3,000 times a year. That support is provided every
progress it.
On technology, An Garda Síochána has substantially enhanced its technology capability with drones, as have our military and Defence Forces. It is interesting. Reference was made to the University of Limerick, UL. I visited the university's underwater drone capacity research centre. It was a very
people in this country support. However, it is my intention and the intention of Government to change the terms of how our Defence Forces can be deployed overseas. I, and I think many colleagues in this House, believe that it is untenable to continue with the current policy
Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Defence the timeline for the increase of cadet pay in the Defence Forces; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33427/26
fides in terms of wanting to improve this but it is worth putting on record that cadet pay remains the lowest in the Defence Forces at just €503 per week compared to €550 for a recruit. It rises to €627 after 12 weeks. Cadets remain on this
Certainly, we are trending away from the recruitment and retention crisis that we have seen in the Defence Forces. We are not quite there yet and still have a bit to go.
In terms of cadet pay, the long-term impacts of it and why it needs
issue here is in relation to a category of people who were acting in the service of the State. They were supporting the Defence Forces in terms of maintenance of aircraft. As the Air Corps Chemical Abuse Survivors group outlined, there have been 130 potential premature deaths. Clearly
Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Defence if her Department or the Defence Forces have plans to renovate and bring back into use more than 80 vacant homes at the Curragh Camp; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33195/26
projects that are under way. On top of that, the projects that have been completed to date include Pearse Barracks, the Defence Forces Training Centre in the Curragh, Cathal Brugha Barracks, Casement Aerodrome, McKee Barracks and Haulbowline. A huge amount of work has been done in recent years
able to respond to threats as they emerge. I hope to enact before the summer new legislation which will give our Defence Forces even greater clarity in terms of boarding, inspecting and directing ships if they are where they should
national maritime security strategy is the development of a forum that will bring together the private sector, Government, State agencies and Defence Forces to look at the overall infrastructure and how we develop, protect, monitor and manage it. That will be a really important way to ensure that
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
bargaining but ultimately the Department needs to recognise that these are strategic considerations in the development capability and the personnel numbers of the Defence Forces. This is intolerable. Deputy Ó Fearghaíl is entirely correct. If people are coming from a different sector to become cadets, it will
Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Defence the reason the conciliation and arbitration scheme for the permanent Defence Force has been without an adjudicator since June 2025; when an adjudicator will be appointed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33416/26
nature of this issue risks undermining the integrity of the C and A scheme in general. Given the unique restrictions places on the Defence Forces personnel, I have to say in the strongest terms, it is absolutely essential that this mechanism operates without interruption and with the confidence
represents an increase of 55% in capital funding allocated to defence up to 2030 and is the most significant investment package in the Defence Forces in the history of the State. We will adopt a constructive, positive approach to the development of the proposed new European security strategy
In parliamentary questions
William Aird
Written
William Aird asked the Minister for Defence if her Department will identify the strategies used since 2022 to recruit persons into the Reserve Defence Forces; the success which has been achieved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [71258/25
Roderic O'Gorman
Written
Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Defence the amount the Defence Forces spent on purchasing military equipment from French and German companies respectively, in 2024 and to-date in 2025, in tabular form. [71291/25
Sinéad Gibney
Written
current contracts or plans for contract renewals with (details supplied) and whether concerns have been raised over their links with the Israeli Defence Forces. [67992/25
Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire
Written
project (details supplied); if the Naval Service and Air Corps have been asked to carry out independent safety reviews; and whether a full Defence Forces assessment will be submitted before a decision is made. [69913/25
Barry Ward
Written
Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Defence the number of active members of the Irish Defence Forces broken down per year each year since 2015, by rank, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [70252/25
Barry Ward
Written
Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Defence the number of civilian employees currently employed by the Irish Defence Forces; the number of staff per year each year since 2015, by grade, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [70253/25
Ken O'Flynn
Written
Minister for Health the national clinical guidance that applies to the prescription or recommendation of anti malaria medications for Ministers, civil servants and Defence Forces personnel travelling abroad on official State business; and the risk assessment protocols used for Lariam and other anti-malaria medications in these circumstances
Tom Brabazon
Written
Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Defence the current strength of all branches of the Defence Forces as of 28 November 2025 or the latest date available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [68514/25
Tom Brabazon
Written
Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Defence the improvements made in salaries and allowances for members of the Defence Forces since 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [68515/25
Robert Troy
Written
lack of senior officers on the revitalisation plan for the RDF arising out of the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces. [67344/25
Paul Donnelly
Written
Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Defence the number of vacancies by rank within Defence Forces School of Music; when each of those vacancies will be filled, in tabular form. [67635/25
Richard Boyd Barrett
Written
Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Defence her views on whether it was necessary for Defence Forces personnel to draw weapons against protesters targeting planes in Shannon owned by a military which provides logistical support to a country that her Government considers guilty of genocide (details
Malcolm Byrne
Written
Byrne asked the Minister for Defence to outline plans to ensure that cadet pay is ahead of the minimum wage and that the Defence Forces remain an attractive career path. [66902/25
Malcolm Byrne
Written
Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Defence the number of members of the Defence Forces that have availed of the opportunity to continue working after the increase in August 2024 in the mandatory retirement age from 60 to 62. [67036/25
Charles Ward
Written
Ward asked the Minister for Defence if any military personnel or Department officials attended a recent conference in Israel organised by the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) on their intensive multifront campaign over the past two years, or any recent training conference or seminars organised
Thomas Gould
Written
Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Defence if the Defence Forces are under contract with a company (details supplied); the length of the contract; when it commenced; and the amount paid to date for the contract. [64366/25
Thomas Gould
Written
Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Defence if the Defence Forces have ever held a contract with a company (details supplied); when the contract terminated; and the amount spent on the contract. [64367/25
Mairéad Farrell
Written
Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Defence the additional costs incurred by the Irish Defence Forces for security provided at Shannon Airport due to US military use of that airport from 2010 to 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64014/25
John Connolly
Written
asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment for an update on the State's efforts to develop industrial enterprise on the former Defence Forces firing range lands at Oranmore, County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62173/25
Rose Conway-Walsh
Written
will submit a business case to the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to allow former members of the Defence Forces (with less than 21 years’ service prior to the enactment of the single pension scheme, and with greater than 26 weeks break
Malcolm Byrne
Written
asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the measures in place to support the physical and mental health outcomes of veterans of the Defence Forces. [62446/25
Barry Ward
Written
taken to raise the issue of the interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla and the detainment of 16 Irish citizens by the Israel Defence Forces at an EU level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61226/25
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Written
Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the budget allocation for Defence Forces Equitation School in the years of 2024, 2025 and 2026, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61135/25
Donna McGettigan
Written
Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the process that local community voluntary groups must meet in order to have Defence Forces School of Music play at a community event; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61442/25
Mairéad Farrell
Written
Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the additional costs incurred by the Irish Defence Forces for security provided at Shannon Airport due to US military use of Shannon Airport from 2018 to date in 2025. [61625/25
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