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hÉireann and the people of Ireland to know that as Minister for Defence, I am deeply committed to the transformation of the Defence Forces into a modern, fit-for-purpose organisation to defend the State and meet the challenges of today and the future. Across Europe, all countries … much-needed capabilities. The Government has set out a future pathway to continue these expenditure increases. The Commission on the Future of the Defence Forces was established on foot of a commitment in the programme for Government of 2020. The commission's report, as the Deputy knows

know in this House, members of the Irish Defence Forces serve the State at home and overseas in often high-risk and demanding roles. The level of commitment from Defence Forces must be matched by fair and sustainable working conditions. The Minister will be aware Ireland was recently … found to be in non-compliance with the European Social Charter as regards the workplace conditions of Irish Defence Forces personnel. Will the Minister please advise the House how the new strategic framework for the transformation of the Defence Forces will improve Defence Forces working conditions

woman who has served on such missions throughout the decades; and — nothing in the "Triple Lock" prevents us from investing properly in our Defence Forces and that it is the decisions of successive Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael Government that has led to the neglect of our Defence … training, and nor does it prevent Ireland's participation in humanitarian missions; — the failure by successive governments to adequately invest in Ireland's Defence Forces and in our defence capabilities, leaving the State exposed to numerous threats; — this Government has chosen to make Ireland reliant, and dependent

called a light tactical armoured vehicle fleet. It was procured through a competitive process and provided an important operational capacity to our Defence Forces from 2010 until its withdrawal from service in 2023 at the end of its planned service life. There was a detailed technical assessment … withdrawal from the service and the Defence Forces concluded that the fleet could be made available for donation for potential restoration and operational use by the armed forces of Ukraine for the humanitarian purpose the Deputy highlighted. The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine expressed its sincere gratitude

interdictions and different things. The reality is that the triple lock does not prevent any of those things. It does not prevent the Defence Forces participating in humanitarian evacuation, the rescue of civilians, training, drug interdictions or any of those things, nor does it prevent us from investing … Defence Forces. As far as I am concerned, Ireland should be strong on defence and neutrality. This Government is neither. Allowances agreed with the Defence Forces have been unpaid. Several personnel are down by thousands of euro. Overtime is not being recorded properly, and, therefore, personnel

that ending the triple lock would have an inherent impact on our military neutrality. It would open the door for members of our Defence Forces to participate in foreign conflicts that lack the protection of the blue beret and a United Nations mandate and that would compromise … world, of course we need to discuss Ireland’s defence and security. We know that military neutrality comes at a cost but our Defence Forces are desperately under-resourced. As the former line Minister the Taoiseach must be embarrassed that members of the Defence Forces have reported having

requires prior Government approval and what does not. This blanket provision is outdated, given the multilayered regulatory framework that now exists. Increasingly, the Defence Forces have procurement needs related to the defence and security technologies required to protect the infrastructure on which our economy and prosperity depend … this debate, not one Deputy mentioned our requirements around investments in our Defence Forces. We are raising the level of ambition to where we can continue to protect our citizens, strengthen national security and deliver more capable and resilient Defence Forces. I think we all accept that

doubt about the importance of their work in providing pastoral care and maintaining the morale of members of the Permanent Defence Force, most particularly when they can be under difficult or testing conditions while serving abroad. The contributions and sacrifices made by Defence Forces chaplains over the years … widely recognised and appreciated by the Defence Forces, my Department, the Government and the people of this country. Chaplains are not subject to military law, other than when accompanying members of the Defence Forces on active service. Chaplains are responsible for the pastoral care of members

Migration has the lead role for cyber security and the Department receives inputs in the security domain from An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces. The National Cyber Security Centre, which, as is appropriate, is now part of that Department, is the authority responsible for cybersecurity … State, including incident response, cyber resilience and information provision. To develop this cyber defence capability, the Defence Forces have established a joint cyber defence command. This new command will be capable of conducting the full spectrum of cyber defence operations at home and overseas, to enhance national cyber

acknowledge the important work of Defence Forces personnel. I have seen it at first hand with family members directly involved. I firmly believe that Defence Forces infrastructure and equipment must be of a modern standard to meet their operational capabilities and defence responsibilities. I therefore welcome the revised … national development plan allocation to upgrade and modernise Defence Forces infrastructure and the fact that planning is being undertaken. I believe a modern progressive Defence Forces with associated equipment and infrastructure would further encourage those who are interested in pursuing a career in the Defence Forces to enlist

have heard a lot about defence spending in recent weeks but the truth on the ground is that the Defence Forces are in a precarious position because of Government underfunding. We currently have fewer than 8,000 members of the Permanent Defence Force. This is well below establishment … mind the 11,000 recommended under stage 2 in the report of the Commission on the Future of the Defence Forces. Morale is very low. Does the Tánaiste regret the neglect of the Defence Forces by the Government and how does he intend to ensure that we have

There are currently 80 uninhabitable residential Defence Forces buildings. None of these uninhabitable properties can be brought up to a habitable standard without significant work. Many of them were built prior to the introduction of building regulations, for example. As such, considerable work will be needed to bring … them up to modern standards. Consultants were commissioned to assess the condition of the Defence Forces vacant housing stock and its suitability for conversion or refurbishment to provide for additional single living-in accommodation for Defence Forces personnel. My officials are subsequently engaged with the Defence Forces

capacity as Minister for Defence as part of the national security committee, on the initial findings and I am reassured by both the Defence Forces and An Garda Síochána that they have examined and are examining this matter extensively. While I can confirm a C70 was issued … Garda Síochána to the Defence Forces seeking assistance in respect of the visit of President Zelenskyy, the Deputy will appreciate I cannot comment further because these are operational matters. However, a C70 form was issued by An Garda Síochána to the Defence Forces. One of my key priorities

funding for the Department of Defence for 2026. This represents an 11% increase and will provide for: a net increase of 400 Defence Forces members; the creation of 50 new civilian posts next year; the recruitment of an additional 70 civil servants to work in critically important areas … such as cybersecurity; and a range of non-pay measures, including a new Defence Forces uniform, equipment and maintenance projects, enhanced recruitment advertising, additional funding to progress maritime security, digital transformation, and training and healthcare supports for the Defence Forces. This investment will also enable the progression

saying anything to the contrary. It is clear that there continues to be a very strong interest in a career in the Defence Forces with further growth this year. Let us look at the figures. A total of 14,879 applications have been received this year … that we retain as many of them as possible. We have introduced a range of key enabling measures to support and drive Defence Forces recruitment and retention, working closely with the Defence Forces. These include increases in the maximum ages of recruitment and retirement, the extension of private

frank and open debate in the Chamber. I agree with Deputy O'Donoghue's paying credit to the men and women of the Defence Forces and the service they give to the State currently and have given previously. It is with great pride that I see the Tánaiste … rush in this. Any revised legislative framework will continue to require Government and Dáil approval, where appropriate, for the dispatch of Defence Forces personnel to participate in peacekeeping and similar missions. These proposals remain fully consistent with the principles of the UN Charter and international law. The proposed

Ireland's compliance, as the Deputy said, with the European Social Charter on two issues: remuneration for certain work carried out by Defence Forces personnel on public holidays; and arrangements for compensation or overtime. The ECSR rejected two other complaints that had been submitted on similar matters … compliance with the charter since these particular complaints were taken, in particular the removal of the blanket exemption of members of the Defence Forces from the Organisation of Working Time Act last January. The Defence Forces has also introduced a manual system for recording hours of attendance

purpose of the defence (amendment) Bill is to consolidate the existing provisions of the Defence Acts concerning the despatch of members of the Defence Forces for service outside the State. In effect, the requirement for a UN mandate will be removed. It will modify the existing requirement regarding … called triple lock mechanism in relation to the despatch of the Defence Forces for service outside the State as part of an international United Nations force. It is important to note that the Bill will also seek to amend the Defence Act to provide for the suspension

Tánaiste also has a clear understanding of the suffering people endured. In terms of the range of skills that is available to the Defence Forces, one area that comes to mind is medical and support skills for people who are medically vulnerable. There certainly is a sense … certain locations, when there was no power, that medical assistance was needed or would have been required and the Defence Forces might have been in a position to provide that. The Tánaiste put his finger on it when he said that the Defence Forces came

fully agree with the Deputy. When we talk about the Defence Forces, we need to talk about the total number of men and women who are available to come to the aid of the State, if and when that is required. Of course, an important component of that … Permanent Defence Force but it is also important that there is inter-locking between that and the Reserve Defence Forces' men and women who can be called up and can assist in ways as the need arises. I have had good meetings in recent weeks with the representative

height of what are now called the fuel protests, the Minister added fuel to a volatile situation. He essentially called for the Defence Forces to be deployed to assist gardaí in removing fuel protest blockades. It was a serious escalation and provocation at a time when the Government … blue there were amendments brought forward by the Minister for Defence, added to the Minister for justice, to expand the deployment of Defence Forces under aid to civil power. There has been no explanation as to what happened to bring this situation about. When the Minister for Defence

approval, and (iii) a United Nations (UN) mandate through the General Assembly or Security Council for the deployment of more than 12 Irish Defence Forces personnel overseas; — that the Triple Lock mechanism was introduced to safeguard our military neutrality during the adoption of the Nice and Lisbon Treaties … European Union for our neutrality - respect that is now threatened not by the triple lock but by the failure to fund our Defence Forces and the willingness of the Government to be carried away on a defence tide. Tá áit tuillte ag Éirinn i measc na náisiún

Until then, I urge the Minister not to mess with neutrality or the trust of the Irish people in how we use our Defence Forces. The Government should not change a core policy without the people's consent. I fully support the motion, which respects our neutrality, democracy … same. In a number of interviews, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade mentioned that we are spending more money on our Defence Forces. I have no issue with that because over the years little or nothing has been spent. Members of the Defence Forces have been treated

less than that but I am absolutely determined that we make progress across all areas of pay when it comes to the Defence Forces, at every level. The Deputy will appreciate that much of that work will have to happen through the normal process of the public sector … would like to do so. I want to highlight the significant progress that the Government has made on pay and conditions for Defence Forces personnel, particularly over the last five years, including in the area of cadet pay. For context, in July 2021 the first entry-level point

term "level of ambition" about the future of the Defence Forces. However, the level of ambition from the Government is absolutely pathetic considering where we are starting from and the situation we have as a result of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael mismanagement. In December 2019, just prior … Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael coming together in the previous Government, the number of personnel in the Defence Forces was 8,700. We are supposed to celebrate that numbers are now a little over 7,700. There are 1,000 fewer personnel. This is at a time when

Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Defence the total number of current Defence Forces personnel in terms of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service and the Reserve Defence Force, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13220/26

Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the rationale for removing the training/attendance allowance for members of the Reserve Defence Forces when undergoing training; the allowances that are now available to members of the Reserve Defence Forces; and the number of new members that have

Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the policy of the Defence Forces regarding the recruitment of people with autism and ADHD to the permanent and reserve Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25173/25

Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Defence the measures currently being considered to improve pay and conditions for members of the Defence Forces, with particular regard to recruitment, retention and the overall attractiveness of a career in the Defence Forces. [53652/26

Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Defence the current status of the proposed lateral transfer policy within the Defence Forces; the progress that has been made in developing this policy between the Department and the Defence Forces; whether a timeline has been set for its completion

Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if suitable qualified civilians can apply to join Defence Forces School of Music; and if not, if all positions within school are reserved for Permanent Defence Force personnel. [39146/25

Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence how his Department plans on addressing the ongoing problems of understaffing in critical Defence Forces infrastructure, such as air traffic controllers; if his actions will be in line with the Defence Forces Group 2021 recommendations

Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Defence to provide an update on the personnel number of the Defence Forces for 2026, 2025 and 2024; the steps she is taking to increase numbers and strengthen the Defence Forces; and if she will make a statement

Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Defence the establishment figure of the Defence Forces; the figure required under level of ambition 2 of the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces; and the total number in 2019 and currently. [33261/26

Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Defence to provide an update on the personnel number of the Defence Forces for 2023, 2024 and 2025; the efforts she is making to increase numbers and strengthen our Defence Forces; and if she will make a statement

Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence his targets for attaining an establishment figure of the Defence Forces to that envisaged by Level of Ambition 2 of the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces, by year, in tabular form; and if he will

Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the target year by which the Defence Forces are expected to attain Level of Ambition 3 of the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces, by year, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Defence for an overview of the way in which the Reserve Defence Force is to be revitalised under the updated Implementation Plan for the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces. [12377/26

Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Defence whether the Defence Forces is on course to achieve the recruitment target of 11,500 personnel, as recommended by the Commission on Defence Forces; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52070/26

Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Defence the rationale behind the Defence Forces policy whereby serving personnel are required to discharge and re-enlist in order to undertake apprenticeships or Defence Forces funded education and training schemes; the reason this process necessitates the issuing

Flynn asked the Minister for Defence the level of annual funding allocated specifically for the development, training and equipment of the Reserve Defence Forces in each year since 2020; whether the Government intends to introduce a dedicated capital funding stream for Reserve Defence Forces capability development

Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence following the conclusion of the Study Group on Defence Forces Standards of Colour Deficiency’s work, if the recommendations made have been considered by relevant personnel in the Defence Forces; if they have considered a pass

Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of active and inactive members of each of the branches of the Defence Forces, for each of the past 20 years, and the establishment numbers which is the target number for the Defence Forces in those years. [5286/25

Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Defence the number of members inducted into the Reserve Defence Force in each of the years 2020 to 2025 who received the dental provisions set out in paragraph 302 of Defence Forces administrative instruction A12 (medical treatment), namely dental charting

Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Defence the healthcare and medical treatment entitlements of members of the Permanent Defence Force who are serving out of engagement; whether these entitlements differ from those of other serving members of the Permanent Defence Force; and if she will make

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence whether the Defence Forces or her Department maintain a register, inventory classification, or procurement record identifying the country of origin of major defence-related software, avionics, communications systems, sensors, or mission-critical technologies currently in use across Defence Forces

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence the total capital and current expenditure allocated to the Reserve Defence Forces in each of the years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025; the proportion this represents of the overall defence budget in each year; whether … considers this allocation adequate given the recommendations of the Commission on the Defence Forces; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17548/26

aircraft it replaces or supplements in the Air Corps fleet; whether this capacity was identified as a specific operational requirement by the Defence Forces Chief of Staff; whether any scenario planning was conducted to assess whether a 14-seat configuration would be adequate for Defence Forces evacuation, humanitarian

Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Defence for an update on the implementation of the Strategic Framework for the Transformation of the Defence Forces; the measures completed to date; those currently underway; the expected timeline for the remaining measures; the impact of the programme on Defence Forces

Deputy Charles Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if suitable qualified civilian personnel can apply to join the Defence Forces school of music; if not, if all posts within the school of music are reserved for sworn members of the Permanent Defence Forces