69. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Defence to provide an update on her Department’s policy regarding the deployment of the Defence Forces to intervene in peaceful protest; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28428/26]
Topics / Defence Forces
A subject heading for parliamentary questionsDefence Forces
1,115 questions from 105 TDs, between 22 January 2025 and 22 October 2026.
1,115
questions
1,048 written, 67 oral
105
TDs have asked
11
parties and groups
Independents counted together
6
departments asked
Questions per month
The record holds no questions for August, when the Dáil does not sit.
Jan 2025Oct 2026
Show as a table
| Month | Questions |
|---|---|
| January 2025 | 9 |
| February 2025 | 58 |
| March 2025 | 27 |
| April 2025 | 23 |
| May 2025 | 47 |
| June 2025 | 83 |
| July 2025 | 55 |
| August 2025 | 0 |
| September 2025 | 91 |
| October 2025 | 36 |
| November 2025 | 77 |
| December 2025 | 85 |
| January 2026 | 33 |
| February 2026 | 120 |
| March 2026 | 34 |
| April 2026 | 30 |
| May 2026 | 108 |
| June 2026 | 74 |
| July 2026 | 87 |
| August 2026 | 0 |
| September 2026 | 24 |
| October 2026 | 14 |
Who asks, by party
The party each TD belonged to on the day, in alphabetical order. Parties differ a lot in size, and members of the Government answer questions rather than ask them, so this shows who raised it, not how much a party cares about it.
The TDs who asked most
Members of the Government answer questions rather than ask them. Each question counts once.
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80
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76
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41
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41
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39
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34
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30
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24
Asked of
Debated under the same heading
Debates whose official heading is exactly these words.
The questions
70. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Defence when the outstanding payments due under the most recent local bargaining clause and under the national pay agreement will be paid; if she will acknowledge that the timely implementation of these payments is vital to retaining highly skilled and experienced members across the Defence Forces; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32724/26]
72. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Defence her views on the release of figures that show that Ireland continues to languish at the bottom of the EU table for defence expenditure; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33417/26]
73. 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 on the matter. [31761/26]
76. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Defence her plans to increase cadet pay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33119/26]
78. 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]
82. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Defence if she will ensure measures are continued to secure investment in accommodation throughout the Defence Forces; and following on from the positive progress made to date, if she recognises that modern fit-for-purpose accommodation is paramount for recruiting and retaining personal and for the overall welfare of the members; and if she will make a statement on…
83. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Defence when her Department will be in a position to bring the Defence Amendment Bill 2025 before Dáil Éireann; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33197/26]
84. 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]
85. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Defence her views on the matter of entry-level cadet pay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33405/26]
87. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Defence if she can confirm the Defence Forces are in possession of and can operate under-sea radar equipment and air radar equipment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33198/26]
89. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Defence for an update on investment in Aiken Barracks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32716/26]
91. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Defence the way in which the process for the Army to be deployed to aid the Gardaí in operations should take place; her views on whether this process was adequately followed in terms of the recent request in relation to fuel protests; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33418/26]
92. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Defence if she has met with a group (details supplied); and to detail the work she has carried out to investigate and tackle misogyny in the Armed Forces. [33327/26]
93. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Defence to provide an 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]
95. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Defence if she or other Departments have had any discussions with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage regarding a future use for the vacant housing accommodation at the Curragh Camp; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33196/26]
96. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Defence the number of personnel who have joined the three branches of the Defence Forces in 2026; the number who have been discharged, retired, or otherwise left service; her views on recruitment in 2025 and 2026; her plans to increase or incentivise recruitment in 2026 and 2027; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33213/26]
97. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Defence the reason Ireland’s €19 million anti-drone system which was initially intended to be in place in time for the EU presidency is now not expected to be in operation until September 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33419/26]
99. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Defence the improvements planned for Stephens Barracks under the €1.7 billion Defence National Development Plan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33259/26]
100. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Defence for an update on the progress of legislation under the Strategic Framework for the Defence Forces which underpins the appointment and status of military chaplains, including mechanisms for representation by a Defence Forces representative association; and in the absence of such legislation, how protected military chaplains who deploy on overseas service t…
101. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Defence her views on the fact that no adjudicator has been in place for the Defence Forces conciliation and arbitration scheme since June 2025. [33407/26]
104. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Defence to provide an update on her commitment to produce legislation to underpin the appointment of and status of military chaplains including mechanism for representation by a Defence Forces representative association; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33415/26]
105. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Defence the current total number of members of the Reserve Defence Forces, based in each county, and the corresponding figures for 1996, 2001, 2006, 2011, 2016 and 2021. [33099/26]
106. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Defence if she will outline any improvements to pay and working conditions for members of the Defence Forces; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32728/26]
108. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Defence the timeframe for legislation to underpin the appointment and status of military chaplains; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33121/26]