Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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19. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will declare any conflict of interest in defence matters; if any matters came to him as Taoiseach that required his decision that now mean he has a prior position on them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5226/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, Government decisions are made on the basis of the principle of collective Cabinet responsibility.  Article 28.4.2? of the Constitution provides that: "the Government shall meet and act as a collective authority, and shall be collectively responsible for the Departments of State administered by the members of Government."

In that context, decisions made by Government in respect of all matters, including defence, represent the policy to be pursued by Government.  Therefore, irrespective of the role I hold at any time in Government, I act on the basis of the decisions made by Government as a whole and therefore no conflict of interest arises.

Indeed, I am delighted to have the opportunity to take forward those decisions made by Government in respect of the defence sector on foot of the recommendations of the Commission on the Defence Forces.

This involves implementation of a High Level Action Plan and a move over a six year period to a level of Defence Forces' capability equivalent to 'Level of Ambition 2', as set out in the capability framework devised by the Commission, which will entail funding increases to reach a defence budget of circa €1.5 billion (at January 2022 prices) by 2028 through the annual Estimates process.

I am confident that the decisions made by Government will provide a firm basis for the future development of the Defence Forces and I look forward to driving implementation of those decisions as Minister for Defence.