Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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400. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence when operational schedules for the rifle range at Gormanston Army Camp will return to regular publication (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4465/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I can assure the Deputy that publications and advertising in local papers in relation to military exercises in relation to this and other military installations will resume in line with Defence Forces operational and training activities.

Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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401. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the protocols that are in place regarding the use of live ammunition within the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4466/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I am advised by the military authorities that the protocols in place for the use of ammunition for training purposes are determined by the nature of the ammunition and the location of the training activity. The protocols and procedures that are in place for the use of live ammunition in domestic military operations are governed by a Defence Forces guidance document on the the use of force, while the use of ammunition in military operations overseas is governed by the specific mission mandate.

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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402. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the maximum and the current strength levels, respectively, of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4516/23]

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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403. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the maximum and the current strength levels, respectively, of the Naval Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4517/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 402 and 403 together.

The following table details the current strength and establishment of the Permanent Defence Force, as of the 31 December 2022.

Ongoing challenges in relation to recruitment and retention in the Defence Forces have been acknowledged. My focus is on bringing the strength of the Defence Forces to the numbers required to meet the agreed level of ambition arising from the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces.