only our cables. I accept we need to make sure we have capacity. We must deal with the underfunding of our Defence Forces. That does not mean we move away from Ireland’s independent foreign policy. We must respect the sacrifices made by those such as Private Michael
Search the record
Every word spoken in the Dáil and every parliamentary question asked, matched on word forms as well as exact spelling, so "housing" also finds "houses".
Narrow it down: a TD or a date range
25+ in debates · 25+ in questions · page 31
In debates
guarantees because it is important that there is no such thing as ministerial intervention in the operation of or recruitment by the Defence Forces. However, I will make sure the points the Deputy made are passed on. I appreciate its importance
Japanese-owned company now but my understanding is that the technology is Israeli. In respect of any State agency, the Garda or the Defence Forces, there is a legislative basis by which there has to be a request to the Ministers and there is a judicial overview
security threats, nor compromise us helping to create a more secure European Union as we continue to invest and modernise our own Defence Forces.
Continuing support for Ukraine, as it continues to defend itself against Russia’s brutal, illegal and amoral invasion, was also an important aspect
training advanced paramedics? Why has it stopped the privileging courses? Fully qualified advanced paramedics who have trained elsewhere, some I understand in the Defence Forces, can only work as paramedics. That privileging course the National Ambulance Service eventually agreed to run in May of this year might
individual who was suspected of being involved in the murder of a member of An Garda Síochána and a member of the Defence Forces, which shows little support for the State and those who bravely don the uniform of the State.
Like others, I recognise the community work
introduction of a commissioner to act as an independent advocate and voice for victims and survivors. We looked for a review of Irish Defence Forces regulations in order to deal more proactively with members either accused of, or convicted of, violent crimes.
Another ask was for increased funding
injured 16 more and who was involved in the murder of a trainee garda and a member of the Defence Forces in Derradda Woods a patriot
general scheme is ongoing. The Bill will amend the Defence Acts to reform the existing provision concerning the dispatch of members of the Defence Forces for services outside the State. I reiterate that it is a priority for publication and drafting of the general scheme is ongoing
court. However, as a matter of policy, the Department of Defence has a responsibility to ensure that issues regarding former Defence Forces personnel are addressed, particularly if their health has been compromised. The Tánaiste will be aware of the organisation, Air Corps Chemical Abuse Survivors, ACCAS
failing to alert the HSA of ongoing failings when known. It should go without saying these are personnel who were part of the Defence Forces. They gave their careers and long parts of their lives to serve the State. If their health is now profoundly compromised the State
Bill to amend the legislation on how Ireland deploys its troops overseas, in terms of overseas peacekeeping and in terms of deployment of Defence Force personnel overseas for purposes other than peacekeeping, such as for evacuation operations of Irish citizens abroad, something which, sadly, has become more frequent
Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to discuss the need to ensure increased recruitment to the Reserve Defence Force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6439/25
changes to the triple-lock mechanism, which currently requires UN Security Council approval alongside Government and Dáil approval, for the deployment of Irish Defence Forces overseas; whether any proposed changes are solely intended to ensure that future peacekeeping missions are not unduly hindered by geopolitical deadlock
Irish neutrality. For example, the Department of Defence has just contracted a US defence agency based in the pentagon to redesign the Irish Defence Forces. In the blurb on its website, this US pentagon-based company says it is grounded in American values. Maybe they are the values
time when I am giving real examples of real challenges that have been faced by the men and women of the Defence Forces, the Deputy is not saying, "Let's tease through these
would we trust it when the Department of Defence has employed a US Pentagon-based contractor imbued with US values to redesign our Defence Forces? Why would we trust it when it is involving us with the PESCO alliance, which is aligned with NATO and dominated
this place and the democratic mandate of the men and women elected to Dáil Éireann in the context of decisions relating to our Defence Forces. The idea of seconding that out to anybody else is ludicrous. The idea of seconding it out to somebody such as Vladimir Putin
asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will outline any occasion during or in the aftermath of Storm Éowyn when the Defence Forces were asked to aid the civil authorities or the civil power, as per their remit; and if he will make a statement
women of Óglaigh na hÉireann to be properly resourced and that the number of people in the Defence Forces grows.
As I said, the number grew last year, albeit from a very low base. It was the first year in a number of years that
acknowledge the significant increase in investment that has gone into the Defence Forces in recent years. It has been felt on the ground. My question relates to the capital works projects currently under way at James Stephens Barracks in Kilkenny, the estimated cost of each of these projects
additional assets for the Air Corps and Naval Service. One of the key recommendations made in the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces was to ensure the Naval Service and the Air Corps have adequate equipment. I would welcome the Tánaiste's initial thoughts on that
good faith negotiations they are having with Ranelagh Gaels and Portobello GAA, and for the years of community supports that the Defence Forces and the Department have offered up to the area.
As the Minister said, it is about the long-term facilities there. Ranelagh Gaels
delighted to hear all of the Tánaiste's contributions to this debate. As he said, this shows in a positive way how the Defence Forces and barracks can become integrated in an urban community. The best way in which Cathal Brugha Barracks in Rathmines can be integrated
glad the Taoiseach acknowledges the need for greater investment in the Defence Forces. We are all very aware of that. On the triple lock, however, the Taoiseach continues to say that retaining the requirement for a UN mandate leaves us at the mercy of Russia or China having
In parliamentary questions
Noel McCarthy
Written
Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the current measures his Department is taking to support Defence Forces veterans; the further plans his Department is considering in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31261/25
Joe Neville
Written
Deputy Joe Neville asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the progress to date in improving pay levels for members of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30993/25
Catherine Callaghan
Written
Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the role members of the Defence Forces will play in Ireland’s holding of the Presidency of the Council of the European Union from July to December 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter
Matt Carthy
Written
Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will outline those situations where he wishes to deploy Defence Forces personnel where he has been precluded from doing so by the triple lock; and if he will outline those overseas missions which Ireland has withdrawn
Brendan Smith
Written
Defence the preparatory work under way in relation to the provision of additional accommodation to cater for increased enrolment in the Permanent Defence Force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31219/25
Peadar Tóibín
Written
Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the current strength of the Defence Forces; the number of these personnel in full-time induction training (recruits, two-star training, cadet training or apprenticeships) and therefore non-deployable; and if he will make a statement
Barry Heneghan
Written
Minister for Defence if his Department has undertaken, or plans to undertake, any formal consultation with current or former members of the Defence Forces regarding the proposed removal of the triple lock mechanism; the reason their perspectives are not being directly sought on a matter that could significantly
Colm Burke
Written
Defence the progress made to date in respect of current accommodation projects being carried out by his Department to accommodate members of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31220/25
Erin McGreehan
Written
Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the strength of the Reserve Defence Force as of 31 May 2025 or the latest date available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31117/25
Pádraig O'Sullivan
Written
corporal will be created for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service, as it was a key recommendation of the Commission on the Defence Forces and is seen as a way to enable personnel to progress earlier in their careers; and if he will make a statement
Colm Burke
Written
Deputy Colm Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to set out the amount of funding allocated to Defence Forces infrastructure for the years 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and to 31 May 2025, in tabular form; the number of projects completed, the number of projects under
Séamus McGrath
Written
Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the action he is taking to improve retention levels in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30833/25
Erin McGreehan
Written
Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence how he is improving pay and conditions for serving personnel in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31116/25
Tom Brabazon
Written
Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if his Department will consider engaging with the Defence Forces to utilise military driving schools as a means of assisting in the reduction of civilian driving test waiting lists. [31256/25
Joe Neville
Written
Deputy Joe Neville asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the progress to date in improving pension levels for members of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30992/25
Noel McCarthy
Written
asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to report on the progress of recruitment campaigns for school leavers considering a career in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31308/25
Duncan Smith
Written
Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to outline any plans he has to improve pay and conditions for members of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29867/25
Ruairí Ó Murchú
Oral
Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will outline any progress made recently in the case of a Defence Forces member who was killed on UN duty in Lebanon (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31241/25
Shane Moynihan
Written
Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to outline the recruitment targets across the Defence Forces for each of the next three years as part of the transition to level of ambition 2; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30560/25
Sinéad Gibney
Written
Defence his Department's understanding of the scope and limitations of "strengthening international security" as justification for deployment of members of the Defence Forces overseas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31774/25
Maeve O'Connell
Written
have been reached by the 11 actions within the RDF Regeneration and Development Plan that are directly linked to the Commission on the Defence Forces Work Packages. [31700/25
Maeve O'Connell
Written
Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to report on the work of his Department in identifying key governance reforms required to modernise the Defence Forces to bring high-level structures in line with international comparators. [31705/25
Maeve O'Connell
Written
Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to report on any stakeholder engagement that has or will take place towards the goal of modernising the Defence Forces governance in line with international best practice. [31706/25
Maeve O'Connell
Written
Defence if he has received the most recent quarterly report regarding the delivery of actions of the Strategic Framework–Transformation of the Defence Forces; and if the secretary general and the chief of staff have ever failed to provide this report since the Strategy’s publication in September
Maeve O'Connell
Written
Deputy Maeve O'Connell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to report on the implementation of the Working Time Directive across the Defence Forces. [31781/25
Want to see how often it came up over time? Follow “defence forces” month by month.