where members of the Defence Forces could acquaint themselves with the topography and detailed knowledge of that Border region because we are in a difficult security situation and we never know what is ahead
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In debates
Quay, where it is situated, and the 27th Infantry Battalion. There is a huge level of respect for those in the Defence Forces.
I have a question, obviously, for Dundalk and those involved with the military in Dundalk, and family particularly, on the sad loss of Private Seán
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
build on improvements in the recruitment process and, as the Minister rightly referred to, better representation of women at all levels of the Defence Forces. Are there any particular additional measures being proposed this year to implement those commitments?
Some years ago, there was a ludicrous position where
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
will have with my Lebanese counterparts, this will be raised.
More broadly, it raises the case of how we ensure that our Defence Forces personnel are supported and protected when they are on peacekeeping missions or otherwise out doing their duty. We need to make sure this
happy to keep the Deputy updated on matters, first and foremost to keep the family updated and working closely with the Defence Forces. I am happy to update the Deputy on this and on any other matters relating to pensions
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
specific details. I do not think it would be appropriate. I want to ensure we have legislation that ensures every member of the Defence Forces and their families are treated equally when it comes to pensions, particularly where a tragic incident has occurred. It is something
without a veto being exercised by any of the five, including the US. None of what I am saying goes against strengthening our Defence Forces capacity and having a level of co-operation in terms of sharing information, etc., with other countries. That is not the argument
Fáil and Fine Gael, I would propose there be such a requirement regarding the number of members of An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces. The fact is the Government wantonly breaks the law and engages in what I call "lawfare" against families, including, in one scandalous instance
roadshow and going around to things like the ploughing championships where they are using virtual reality. We know from the Defence Forces and from nursing and medical courses that virtual reality is having a very positive effect on real-life behaviour. We should look at expanding virtual reality
Muirí - To discuss recurring issues with the No. 15 bus for commuters in north Dublin.
Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire - To discuss the Defence Forces informing the Garda that they will not be able to provide anti-drone security for EU Presidency meetings.
The matters raised by Deputies Shane
supplementary pension for our uniformed services members. As the Taoiseach is aware, the fast-accrual nature of the pensions for our Defence Forces, fire services, gardaí and prison officers was decoupled from the supplementary element during austerity. This is a financial emergency measures in the public interest, FEMPI
services, with the result that we have huge volumes of applications to An Garda and other services. We have made progress in the Defence Forces in the past two to three years and we need more progress there. We have made progress on that front because of measures
courage in coming forward to tell her story, so we can continue to improve our legislation and the transparency of our agencies, Garda, Defence Forces and so forth.
Deputy Ó Cearúil referred to diversification of trade. There is a need for global engagement. We need to engage
They are principles I have served overseas to uphold. I did not wear the United Nations blue beret in Lebanon alongside my Irish Defence Forces colleagues so that we could consign these principles to history. When we discuss international law, we do not discuss an abstract, empty concept
armaments industry and decry Ireland as a defence freeloader. They are the same parties that have overseen what has happened to our Defence Forces and that now, through seeking to gut neutrality, are attempting to grant themselves the authority to deploy Irish soldiers abroad without UN mandate
means of enforcement. Our permanent representation in Brussels also has to stand up and fight this.
We also have to properly equip our Defence Forces so that they have the real, practical capacity to prevent overfishing. This means ensuring our Naval Service has the vessels, technology and personnel
debate because it is the only Vote that is specific and set apart. It does not fall under the Garda Síochána Vote, the Defence Forces Vote, as you would presume, or even the Minister for justice's Vote. It falls specifically under finance or, of late, public expenditure
Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Defence the capacity of the Defence Forces and security forces generally to respond to drone incursions in Irish aerospace and to respond to reported suspicious drone activity near Dublin Airport during the visit of President Zelenskyy. [72050/25
Minister is right that the men and women of the Defence Forces are its greatest asset. The weight of this needs to be emphasised. The Air Corps Chemical Abuse Survivors, ACCAS, group has identified what it believes to be 110 untimely deaths. It has used that language advisedly
specifically for women. They are not necessarily specific to the Naval Service, but it is important that we support and work with the Defence Forces in making sure they are reaching out, whether in our schools or in different industries or sectors, specifically to ensure that we have
appointment and wish her every success in the role. Will she outline what engagements she has had with UNIFIL about the security of Defence Forces' personnel in Lebanon? Has she identified any additional security threats in view of the decision to end the mission there
transition for any missions is challenging. It needs to be planned carefully and that is certainly what the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, working with his excellent team, is doing. They are making sure that the safety and security of our UNIFIL peacekeepers are front
In parliamentary questions
James O'Connor
Written
Deputy James O'Connor asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the changes for Defence Forces pay under budget 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60483/25
Albert Dolan
Written
Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence when the Defence Forces regulation regarding a directive of military prosecutions will be amended following his announcement on 14 October 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60383/25
Catherine Ardagh
Written
with the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation in relation to pension entitlements for members of the permanent Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60430/25
Sean Fleming
Oral
Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence in view of his support for chaplains to the Defence Forces having representation, his plans to agree to amending the PDF’s conciliation and arbitration scheme to provide for such representation in this administrative scheme
Aisling Dempsey
Written
Deputy Aisling Dempsey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to ensure that all Defence Forces personnel in full-time residential training receive subsistence where they cannot be rationed, including officers attending third level educational institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60381/25
Cathy Bennett
Written
Cathy Bennett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he has considered altering height requirements with regard to enlistment eligibility for the Defence Forces. [60471/25
Catherine Callaghan
Written
Minister for Defence his plans to increase cadet pay above minimum wage, and to at least that of all other trainees in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59617/25
Sinéad Gibney
Written
Defence if his Department plans to avail of SAFE funding; the guarantees his Department has sought to ensure any joint procurement for the Defence Forces under SAFE will not involve the purchase of cluster munitions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60395/25
Tony McCormack
Written
Deputy Tony McCormack asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the way in which the Defence Forces are developing their unmanned aerial systems capability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60513/25
regarding the establishment of a joint cybersecurity command and other actions related to cybersecurity contained in the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60523/25
Albert Dolan
Written
Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the supports available to Defence Forces personnel who are being discharged on medical grounds, particularly in cases involving long-term illnesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56896/25
Joe Neville
Written
Deputy Joe Neville asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the amount of funding allocated to Defence Forces infrastructure in each of the past five years; the number of projects completed; the number underway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60238/25
John Paul O'Shea
Written
Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the current number of vacancies within the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60331/25
John Paul O'Shea
Written
Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the planned recruitment within the Defence Forces for the years 2026-2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60333/25
Eoin Ó Broin
Written
Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the rationale for the decision to withdraw Defence Forces personnel from the MINURSO UN peacekeeping mission; whether there are any plans for Ireland to participate in that mission in the future; and if he will make
Colm Burke
Written
Deputy Colm Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the way in which the Reserve Defence Forces will benefit from the increased financial support provided in Budget 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60424/25
Colm Burke
Written
Deputy Colm Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will provide an update on the supports and funding for Defence Force veterans and their dependents as outlined in Budget 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60425/25
Mairéad Farrell
Written
Irish airports and Irish airspace from 1990 to date in 2025; and the additional costs incurred by An Garda Síochána and the Irish Defence Forces for security provided at Shannon Airport due to US military use of Shannon Airport. [58182/25
Peadar Tóibín
Written
quotas or participation targets relating to race, gender, ethnicity or religious status are in place for any activities or in recruitment for the Defence Forces. [58638/25
Ken O'Flynn
Written
asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of cases currently pending against his Department from former and serving members of the Defence Forces in relation to the use of a drug (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59785/25
Ken O'Flynn
Written
Defence the total amount his Department has spent to date on legal costs, settlements, and compensation to former and current members of the Defence Forces in relation to cases concerning the use of a drug (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59786/25
Ken O'Flynn
Written
Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Taoiseach if his Department, or the National Security Analysis Centre has received any briefings from the Defence Forces, the Garda National Crime and Security Intelligence Service or allied intelligence partners regarding Chinese political influence operations in Ireland; and if he will make
Gary Gannon
Written
Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the Defence Force’s expenditure on advertising, with details of the objective, duration, social media platforms, reach, audience, CTR and cost of each social media advertising campaign, in each of the years 2023 to date
Gary Gannon
Written
Minister for Defence his expenditure on advertising, with details of the objective, duration, social media platforms, reach, audience, CTR and cost of Reserve Defence Forces Recruitment Campaign; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54680/25
Duncan Smith
Written
Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if the exclusion of Defence Forces members from WRC remedies under the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 is intended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54892/25
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