Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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445. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will provide a list of Acts or sections or other provisions of Acts for which a commencement order has yet to be signed in his Department; the reason for the delay; when commencement orders will be signed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4756/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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In relation to the Department of Defence, the only Acts or provisions of Acts for which a commencement order has yet to be signed is the Defence (Amendment) Act 2021 which was signed into law by the President on 9 November 2021.

In order to give full effect to the provisions of this Act, there is a requirement to prepare amendments to certain Defence Force Regulations. These amendments are currently being finalised. Following the completion of these amendments, the commencement order for this legislation will be signed.

The Defence (Amendment) Act 2021 includes provisions relating to overseas operations and the enlistment of minors in the Defence Forces, along with other amendments to the Defence Acts. In addition, the Act provides for an enhancement of the role of the Reserve Defence Force in support of the Permanent Defence Force as well as removing the absolute prohibitions within the Defence Acts on members of the Reserve serving overseas.