Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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227. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if it is proposed to follow up on any of the recommendations outlined in the final report of the independent review group of the Defence Forces specifically relating to terms of reference number 13, which refers to issues of an historical nature, and that do not relate to the treatment of women in the Defence Forces; if mechanisms will be put in place to facilitate restorative justice in respect of these other historical cases considered by the review group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17294/23]

Gino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance)
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237. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his views on the upcoming statutory inquiry into gender-based violence, bullying and harassment in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16602/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 227 and 237 together.

As the Deputy will be aware, following the publication of the report of the Independent Review Group on dignity and equality issues in the Defence Forces, the Government has agreed to progress all recommendations.

These include the:

• Establishment of a statutory inquiry to investigate whether there have been serious systemic failures in dealing with complaints, including sexual misconduct.
• Setting up an External Oversight Body to increase transparency and accountability; and to drive necessary culture change throughout the Defence Forces.
• Urgently reforming the existing mechanisms for making a complaint to restore faith and trust in the complaints process.

• establish an independent complaints mechanism for serving members of the Defence Forces;
• establish the External Oversight Body on a statutory basis; and
• amend the Defence Act, 1954 to ensure that all allegations of rape, or aggravated sexual assault in the Defence Forces in the State be referred to An Garda Síochána for investigation. (In the interim, all such cases will be referred to An Garda Síochána.)
• A significant programme of reform and culture change delivered by external experts, with measures to eradicate reprisals and retaliation, and develop new policies on gender, inclusion and diversity.

The Government has also agreed to the establishment of a Statutory Inquiry to investigate whether there have been serious systemic failures in the complaints system in the Defence Forces on interpersonal issues, including sexual misconduct.

I am currently consulting with the Attorney General in respect of its establishment and will be reverting to Government on this.

As I have previously stated, I believe that this report is a watershed moment. While it correctly acknowledges the high regard in which the Defence Forces is held, and its decades of peacekeeping roles, it nonetheless, signals the critical need for fundamental and immediate cultural change which goes to the very heart of issues relating to dignity, mutual respect and duty of care. Bullying, misogynistic behaviour, and any form of sexual misconduct is simply unacceptable, and has no place in a 21^stcentury workplace.

I will to assure the Deputy that the process of fundamental change starts now and I will be progressing a comprehensive programme of actions to address the serious shortcomings identified in this report.

I am absolutely determined that this report must be, and will be, the catalyst for transformation of Ireland’s Defence Forces.

Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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228. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the causes for the delays in the induction of recruits and the processing of applications of new recruits in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17383/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The military authorities have advised that there are no systemic delays in the Defence Forces in the induction of recruits and the processing of applications of new recruits.

There are occasions, outside of the control of the Defence Forces, where a small number of applications may take longer to progress for various reasons e.g. providing applicants with an opportunity to repeat aspects of the selection process, as required. However, the Defence Forces maintains contact with applicants to keep them appraised of the status of their application.

Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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229. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the breakdown of personnel, by rank, for the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps, in 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17670/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The strength of the Defence Forces at 31March 2023 stood at 7,807 personnel or 82% of the current agreed strength of 9,500 personnel.

The attached documents contain the requested breakdown of personnel by rank for the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps, as of the 31 December 2022 and the 31 March 2023 (the latest date for which such figures are available).

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

Strength as at 31 March 2023

Strength as at 31 December 2022

Neasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party)
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230. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he can provide a copy of the contract for the five-year military medicine training programme, which also covers the three-year service commitment expected of individuals who complete this training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17692/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I am informed by the military authorities that all Officers in the Defence Forces receive the same Commissioning document after cadet training or, as in the case for Military Medicine trainees, following direct entry as Officers. Specific Terms and Conditions apply to all streams of Officer recruitment including those on the Military Medicine Training Scheme, a copy of which is provided. As set out in these Terms and Conditions, and as for many other academic courses provided to Defence Forces personnel at the expense of the State, there is a service undertaking to the organisation.