Mark Wall (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Tánaiste to the House today. It is fair to say that we have a unique command of our Defence Forces when compared to other defence forces around the world. My colleague, Deputy Howlin, went into the history of that in the Dáil and I know the Tánaiste expressed an interest in it as well. I do not intend to go back as far as to how that command and control structure came about. As has been said, we feel it is wrong that senior civil servants may have more operational powers than the Chief of Staff. That is something that needs to be addressed. Obviously, it is unique as well that the headquarters of our Defence Forces is effectively located in the Department of Defence. As has been said, we are all aware that the Tánaiste brought forward what he described as "groundbreaking" new command and control structures through Cabinet yesterday. The question I ask today is whether the Tánaiste can share with us what those groundbreaking new command and control structures are. Can he commit to bringing his thoughts to an Oireachtas committee because it is very important they are discussed there? As I said, there can be no doubt that the current command and control structure is not fit for purpose and that it needs to be changed and overhauled. I look forward to the Tánaiste's reply.