Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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130. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if regulations that exclude members of the Defence Forces from participating in marches or parades will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1031/19]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Given the unique roles assigned to the Defence Forces, there are a range of restrictions that apply to members of the Defence Forces relating to political and industrial relations matters.

Section 103 of the Defence Act prohibits members of the Permanent Defence Force from membership of, or subscription to, any political organisation or society; DFR A9 prohibits participation by uniformed members of the Defence Forces in any demonstration, meeting or function of a political character; DFR A7 prohibits at any time unauthorised communications that pertain to service matters by members of the Defence Forces. Members of the Defence Forces are also prohibited from striking.

The Deputy may wish to know that this matter is the subject of litigation and therefore it is not appropriate to comment further.