Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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76. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his role and responsibilities regarding the Defence Forces. [37644/19]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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The Defence (Delegation of Ministerial Functions) Order 2017 (S.I. No. 299 of 2017) was approved by Government on 5 July 2017 and came into effect on that date. Pursuant to the Order, statutory responsibility for a wide range of Defence matters has been delegated to me. The principal responsibilities delegated include powers to make Regulations under various provisions of the Defence Acts 1954 to 2015 and powers in respect of personnel-related issues affecting members of the Defence Forces.

As well as specifying the powers that have been delegated, the Order also specifies the Ministerial powers and responsibilities arising under these enactments that have not been delegated. These are as follows:

- the power conferred under the enactments specified in the Order to prosecute an offence;

- powers arising under sections 11, 17, 87 and 88 of the Defence Act 1954.