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Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (21 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: The principle of competitive tendering for Government contracts is used by the Department of Defence for the acquisition of defensive equipment for the Defence Forces. Central to those procurement procedures are EU law requirements that have to be complied with. This is to ensure fair competition, transparency and equal treatment between suppliers through the advertising of the tender...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (21 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 37 and 46 together. The development of a primary radar capability was one of the key recommendations made in the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces. Demonstrating the Government’s commitment to implementing this recommendation, one of the Early Actions identified in the subsequent High Level Action Plan published in response to the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Military Aircraft (21 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: A key priority for me as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the capabilities of the Defence Forces are maintained, developed and enhanced in order to ensure that the Defence Forces can carry out all of the roles assigned to it by Government. Enhancing the physical working environment and equipment for our Defence Personnel is key feature of the recently published Strategic Framework...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Legislative Programme (21 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: The general scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2023 was approved by Government in December 2023 and published in January of this year. This bill addresses the following issues: 1. To establish on a statutory basis an External Oversight Body of the Defence Forces in line with recommendations in the Report of the Independent Review Group – Defence Forces; 2. To resolve an...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (21 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: Ireland will be using its well-established partnership with the UN Humanitarian Response Depot (UNHRD) to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza. As this involves supplies that are already pre-positioned in the region, there is no requirement at present for the use of an Irish military aircraft. A key priority for me as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the capabilities of the Defence...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (21 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: The issue of awarding medals to the men of “A” Company, 35th Infantry Battalion has been addressed on a number of occasions over the years. A review conducted in 2004 by military officers, the purpose of which was a broad examination of the Jadotville case, concluded with a recommendation that the events of Jadotville and the contribution of the 35th Battalion be given...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (21 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: As the Deputy will be aware, I recently announced that Government had approved an increase in the mandatory retirement age in the Defence Forces to 60 years, and the maximum recruitment age for all personnel to 39 years. These changes will come into effect on 29 March 2024. The recruitment and retention challenges experienced by the Defence Forces are well documented and Government...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (21 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: I wish to assure the Deputy of my commitment to the removal of the blanket exemption which currently applies to the Defence Forces in the Organisation of Working Time Act . Following extensive consultations involving the PDF Representative Associations and civilian-military management, I am pleased to say that an agreed policy position was submitted to me on 20 December last. This was in...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (21 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: I thank Deputy Farrell for raising these matters, across three main areas of Operations, Procurement and Recruitment/Retention. Our Naval Service is tasked with a variety of defence and other roles, including a fishery protection service and a number of other tasks including drug interdiction, search and rescue, and maritime defence and security operations. The Naval Service is currently...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Military Neutrality (21 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: The so-called Triple Lock mechanism sets out the conditions for the deployment of Defence Forces' personnel for peacekeeping operations overseas. These include that the operation must be mandated by the UN, (either by the Security Council or General Assembly), approved by the Government and it must be approved by way of resolution of Dáil Éireann, where the size of the Defence...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (21 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: Following a review of overseas deployments, a decision was taken in July 2021 to withdraw the two Defence Forces' personnel deployed to MINURSO, thereby ending Ireland’s involvement in this mission. The withdrawal of these personnel arose from a need to consolidate operational deployments, in the context of the commitments to peacekeeping entered into by Ireland at that time. ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: National Security (21 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: As I informed the House on 22 November during a debate on the consultative forum on international security, it is the Government's intention to develop a maritime security strategy, with the necessary resourcing, accompanying legislation and decision-making systems in place. This strategy will have a particular focus on subsea infrastructure. Following the attacks on Nordstreams 1 and 2...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: National Security (21 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: Ireland takes part in any EU discussions equally on the basis of its membership of the European Union, using the accepted respective Councils and Working Parties that fall from that, and governed by the Treaties underpinning the functioning of the European Union. With regard to Defence, at its core, this remains a national competence, something borne out by the differing responses and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (21 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Commission on the Defence Forces was established on foot of a commitment in the Programme for Government and the Government decision in December 2020 which also agreed its terms of reference and membership. The report was published on the 9th February 2022. The Commission undertook a significant body of work, encompassing wide-ranging terms of reference. It recommended significant...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (21 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: In January 2022, the Government announced a COVID-19 Pandemic Recognition Payment (PRP) for front-line public sector healthcare workers, to recognise their unique role during the pandemic. At Government level, the Department of Health has primary policy responsibility for this initiative, with the consent of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, as it was then. The payment is...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Military Aircraft (21 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: Strategic airlift capability has been prioritised as a capability for investment following Government approval of the Commission on Defence Report as part of the move to (Level Of Ambition) LOA 2 capability. A contract was recently awarded to Airbus at a cost of €59million, excluding VAT, for the provision of a new Fixed Wing Military Transport Aircraft for the Defence Forces. The...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Middle East (21 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: At the outset, I wish to assure the Deputy that the safety and security of Ireland’s Defence Forces’ personnel is of paramount concern to Government, that I, as Tánaiste and Minister of Defence, remain in ongoing contact with the Chief of Staff, and that the Department of Defence is kept apprised of all developments in those areas in which Defence Forces’ personnel...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (21 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Defence Forces Infrastructure Development Plan (IDP) sets out a programme of project delivery for the years 2023 to 2027. The Programme reflects the complex environment in which the Defence Forces operate and the corresponding need for appropriate infrastructure to provide for accommodation and training of personnel, maintenance and storage of equipment for land, sea and airborne...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (21 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: As the Deputy notes, the Air Corps recently took delivery of two new Airbus C295 aircraft, and will be taking delivery of another one of these aircraft in the future. These aircraft represent a significant investment in the Air Corps, and bring a substantial capability across a range of mission types. I understand that my Department has not been advised that the current capacity is...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (21 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: In terms of cybersecurity, the primary role of the Defence Forces relates to the defence and security of their own networks and systems. The Detailed Implementation Plan for the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces was published in November 2023. As part of the Plan's next steps and immediate priorities for 2024, it identified a Joint Cyber Defence Command created at initial...

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