Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am delighted to be in the Seanad once again to speak on defence matters. I know this is a matter close to every Member of both Houses of the Oireachtas and to the people in general. I am very glad of the opportunity to speak on the important issue this afternoon. I want to use this opportunity to acknowledge the service of the men and women of the Irish Defence Forces and to outline the Government's commitment to investing in the Defence Forces. We all owe a deep debt of gratitude to those who serve in the Defence Forces, both the Permanent Defence Force and the Reserve Defence Force, especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of the State. I take this opportunity to recognise their patriotic service and the enormous contribution that members of the Defence Forces have made and, to this day, continue to make to peacekeeping duties.

For close to 60 years, the Defence Forces have played a vital role as peacekeepers all over the world in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. The Defence Forces' 66,000 individual tours of duty in UN and UN-mandated peace support missions to date is a tangible demonstration of this country’s commitment to the pursuit of international peace and security. Today, more than 600 members of the Permanent Defence Force are serving overseas in various parts of the world, which reflects the Government’s continued commitment to our responsibilities in the area of peacekeeping.

Defence policy and the resourcing and implementation of that policy are grounded on the realistic and ongoing assessment of the defence and security environment, including domestic and international factors. Conflict and tensions in eastern Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Africa and elsewhere will continue to challenge international peace and security. Following a period of apparent stability, new and serious conflicts have erupted adjacent to the EU, which have challenged perceptions about the stability of the broader European region. The suddenness of recent crises has once again highlighted the unpredictability of the security environment, reigniting concerns that have not been seen since the end of the Cold War. The threat to Ireland as a target of international terrorism remains under constant review, taking into account developing security threats, including identified common risks that arise for western democracies generally.

At this point, I want to acknowledge the loss of life in the terrorist attack in Manchester earlier this week, and convey my own personal sympathies and those of the Government to those affected. In common with its European partners, Ireland is particularly concerned by the risk posed by persons travelling to certain conflict zones and the potential threat when they return. There is also concern regarding the process of radicalisation and there are a range of influences, including the internet, which can enable this process. It is a fact that any potential conflicts affecting member states of the EU present serious concerns for Ireland and the future outlook is likely to remain unpredictable in the coming years.

The White Paper on Defence, approved by Government in July 2015, provides the strategic and comprehensive defence policy framework for the next decade. This policy framework is flexible and responsive, given the dynamic nature of the security environment and enables the defence organisation to be adaptive to changing circumstances and to use resources as effectively as possible.

I want to state clearly that this Government is committed to supporting the men and women of Óglaigh na hÉireann. They serve our country, at home and abroad, with great distinction. In the budget for 2017, I secured an extra €16 million for defence. This provides enough resources to pay for the Defence Forces at a full strength of 9,500. It is an extra €7 million for capital spending, bringing the capital allocation up to €74 million, a 10% increase. It also includes an extra €6 million for pensions.

It is not just the men and women of the Defence Forces that we are investing in. We are also investing in the equipment and platforms that they have available so that they can carry out their duties in an effective and safe manner. The Naval Service ships replacement programme has delivered three new offshore patrol vessels. Last year, the Government signed a contract for a fourth new vessel which will be delivered in mid-2018. When complete, the total contract value for the four ships will be close to €270 million.

We are also investing in the Air Corps, with plans in place to buy new aircraft. A replacement Pilatus aircraft will be delivered this year at a cost of €5 million plus VAT. The White Paper provides that the Cessna fleet is to be replaced with three larger aircraft suitably equipped for intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance tasks. On 4 May last, the Department initiated a tender competition when it advertised the specifications for the new aircraft. The White Paper also provides for the replacement of the Air Corps’ two CASA CN-235 maritime patrol aircraft with consideration to be given to their replacement with larger, more capable aircraft, which would enhance maritime surveillance and provide a greater degree of utility for transport and cargo-carrying tasks.

Earlier this year, I was delighted to award a €50 million contract for a maintenance and upgrade programme for the Army’s current fleet of 80 armoured personnel carriers, APCs, which will seek to ensure viability of the fleet to 2030. A number of armoured logistical and utility vehicles are also being procured for the purposes of enhancing force protection. This will cost in the region of €5 million.

Capital funding is leading to the construction of significant work across barracks, including works in Baldonnel, the Curragh, Haulbowline, Kilkenny, Limerick, and in Dublin, in Cathal Brugha and McKee Barracks, and also in the equitation school.

The approach to manpower development of the Defence Forces is guided by the operational requirements of each of the three services.Personnel are posted on the basis of operational needs across the organisation at home and abroad. As there is significant turnover of personnel in the Permanent Defence Force, targeted recruitment takes place so as to maintain personnel numbers at or near the agreed strength levels. All efforts are currently being directed at recruitment in order to return the Defence Forces to their approved establishment.

In order to ameliorate the challenges associated with the turnover of personnel, a continuous yearly recruitment drive is operated by the Defence Forces and 590 general service recruits were inducted in 2016, along with 100 cadets between all services. Regular competitions are held for the recruitment of enlisted personnel, cadets and other staff, and remained in place during 2011 which was the worst recession in the State.

General service and cadetship competitions were launched earlier this year and a total of 5,209 general service applications and 3,466 cadet applications have been received. Cadet and general service recruitment campaigns are currently active, with historically high levels of recruitment being pursued. The Defence Forces are planning for the induction of up to 900 new entrants in 2017. That will include 100 new cadets in September this year.

Promotions are ongoing within the officer ranks in order to fill rank vacancies. In addition, a new NCO promotion competition to fill vacancies to the rank of sergeant and above has been launched. Promotions from the order of merit lists from this competition will commence in the third quarter of 2017. It is my intention that promotions will continue to be carried out within the resource envelope allocated to defence.

Retention of specialised personnel, such as pilots and air traffic control, ATC, personnel in the Air Corps, is a significant challenge in light of the demands arising for such skills in a growing economy. Air Corps personnel are an attractive employment source for other airlines and air service providers given their experience and training. Every effort is being made to address the current shortages in personnel faced by the Air Corps.

Following the Air Corps apprenticeship competition which was held earlier this year, it is planned that 25 new Air Corps apprentices will be inducted in late September 2017 to commence their training. Actions are also under way to return to a full level of ATC services by the Air Corps which will facilitate a gradual extension of operational hours for ATC services in Baldonnel over the year as newly qualified personnel develop their experience.

In terms of remuneration, pay and conditions of employment in the Defence Force are set by reference to relative levels of pay across the various sectors of the Irish public sector. The Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Acts 2009 to 2015 and the Lansdowne Road agreement currently define the pay policy for public servants, to which PDFORRA and RACO have signed up. As Senators will be aware, the pay commission report was published on 9 May last and contains a very comprehensive and detailed analysis of pay and pensions issues in the public sector. Notably, it addresses issues surrounding recruitment and retention in the Irish Defence Forces.

Indeed, it should be noted that my Department made a detailed submission to the Commission setting out these very matters and this is specifically referenced by the commission in paragraph 6.13 of its report. This was done under my direction. In the context of the commencement earlier this week of pay negotiations, it would be inappropriate for me to make any further comment in this regard. I have spoken to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Paschal Donohoe, about this matter.

I want to assure the House that significant work is under way in the defence organisation, both civil and military, aimed at improving the capacity of the Air Corps. The chief of staff has spoken directly to me about pay and conditions and the challenges he is facing, about which he hears from his members.

Recruitment of new personnel is also taking place. Currently there are 27 cadets, in three classes, undergoing the various stages of the Air Corps cadetship to become pilots. A return to previous levels of capability in the Air Corps will be a gradual process as pilots within the system progress to become aircraft commanders and newly qualified cadets become pilots. Actions are also under way to return a full level of air traffic control services to the Air Corps.

Air traffic control training is taking place and options to ensure the long-term sustainability of ATC services in Baldonnel are being identified. Some personnel are nearing completion of their training and a new class has recently been inducted. The Defence Forces take pride in being able to respond to requests for assistance, but it has to be borne in mind that capabilities are not specifically developed to support other agencies and for civil contingencies but, of course, their utilisation for such tasks maximises the utility of defence capabilities overall and value for money for the State.

As a result of the reorganisation, there are now more troops stationed in barracks along the west coast. There are now more personnel stationed in Donegal, Galway and Limerick. However, I recognise that there have been issues and challenges regarding personnel travelling between barracks. That is something that I and the military authorities are working to minimise. I spoke directly to the Chief of Staff about this issue on a number of occasions, including as recently as yesterday.

The second matter is that of the new position of assistant secretary general in the Department of Defence, something for which I have advocated for quite some time. In light of the major programme of policy implementation and to ensure best practice in corporate governance, sanction was received from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for an additional management board post at assistant secretary level. Working in close collaboration with military colleagues, this post will specifically increase the focus on personnel issues in defence, ensuring that we have in place a military and civilian workforce that best delivers defence outputs in accordance with assigned roles and responsibilities. The cost of the appointment is being met from within the Department’s existing resource envelope.

My Department and the Defence Forces also have responsibility for two valuable organisations that depend on volunteers, namely, the Reserve Defence Force and the Civil Defence, something I would like to go into but I am under time constraints. Both are excellent organisations that provide supports to their local communities. We have all seen the benefits of the work of both groups, and for that I highly commend them.

Regarding Brexit, I want to state that it does not give rise to fundamental strategic issues for Defence Forces' operations or for Ireland’s continuing engagement within the EU common security and defence policy, CSDP. The outcome from the negotiation process will be considered in the context of existing structures and relationships to ensure that the Defence Forces continue to fulfil the roles assigned to them by Government.

I assure Senators that the Government is committed to funding the Defence Forces and equipping them to do their duties safely and effectively. That is why we are investing money, engaging with other countries on an international basis and continuing to recruit to the Defence Forces, even in the most difficult of times. The White Paper provides the framework from which we will continue to develop and enhance our Defence Forces over the next decade. There are many other issues I could address but, unfortunately, I only have 15 minutes for my opening statement. If Members wish to raise other issues with me, I will do my best to address them. If I do not have the answers with me I will communicate directly with the Senators.