Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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170. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if all members of the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps are provided with a Defence Forces email address upon joining to facilitate easier communication throughout the organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30705/20]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Defence Forces official email facilities are provided to members of the Defence Forces whose official duties require them to have access to Defence Forces email.

The Defence Forces Internal Communication Strategy aims to ensure that Defence Forces personnel feel valued, listened to and have a common purpose. All leaders are required to pro-actively communicate with personnel so that all our ranks are kept fully informed at all times.

Internal communications methods used to keep personnel informed include face-to-face communications, Chain of Command structure (talks to troops), Standardised Notice Boards, An Cosantoir Magazine, the members area on www.military.ie, the establishment of a feedback e-mail address open to all ranks and use of Internal email. A number of enhanced IT solutions are currently being explored with the Director of Communications and Information Services, including an internal communications smartphone messaging app where personnel can access information off-site. An initial proof of concept and field test of the app and initial feedback has been completed, and the planning to expand this app including security, verification, budgeting and content is currently being investigated.