Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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307. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the position with regard to the proposed commission on defence; when the commission will commence; if the commission members have been selected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43288/20]

Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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308. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of submissions received by his Department in relation to the forthcoming commission on defence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43289/20]

Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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309. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if the terms of reference of the proposed commission on the Defence Forces will include a review of the Ministers and Secretaries Act 1924; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43290/20]

Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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314. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of submissions received in regard to the terms of reference for the commission on defence; the submissions that called for a review of his Department and a review of the Ministers and Secretaries Act 1924 and for both to be included in the terms of reference of the future commission on defence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43571/20]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 307 to 309, inclusive, and 314 together.

In accordance withn a commitment made in the Programme for Government, I wish to confirm that Government approval was granted today to establish an independent Commission on the Defence Forces. The Commission, which is due to commence its work before the end of this year, has been given a mandate to report within 12 months.

A Press Release providing details of the Commission's Terms of Reference and membership has issued on my Department's website.

I can confirm that 18 submissions were received in response to a consultation process that I initiated on the Terms of Reference, which involved a wide stakeholder group. These submissions, which included a broad range of views on matters which the Commission should be tasked, were carefully considered in the drafting the Commission's Terms of Reference.

Patricia Ryan (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
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310. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence when the Defence Forces built infrastructure plan will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43344/20]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I am pleased to advise the Deputy that the Defence Forces Built Infrastructural Programme 2020-2025 was published in January 2020.

This Programme, which is a 5 year plan, provides a blueprint for investment in the Defence Forces built infrastructure over a multi annual timeframe. Over the course of the programme it is projected that some €145m will be allocated to ensure programme delivery.