Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

108. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if, in view of the lack of an Army barracks in the central border area, further consideration will be given at an early date to the reopening of Dún Uí Néill, Cavan, as an Army barracks and, in the interim, as a forward operating base as that area has a long land border with a neighbouring jurisdiction, and taking into account that the presence locally of Army personnel played a very important role in the security of the State at a very difficult time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42550/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Commission on the Defence Forces was established on foot of a commitment in the Programme for Government. The report of the Commission was published on 9th February 2022. The Commission undertook a significant body of work, encompassing wide-ranging terms of reference. It recommended significant changes for the Defence Forces and Defence provision in Ireland. It covers high level Defence Forces structures, defence capabilities, organisation, culture and human resources, the Reserve Defence Force and funding.

There are a number of recommendations contained in the report which may impact on the structure of the Defence Forces including that the structure of the Army be reviewed, and in that context, the disposition of Units across the Defence Forces may be considered.

Work on the recommendation that the structure of the Army be reviewed has commenced which looks at the Army Force Design process in order to create a more agile and flexible force design structure. An external consultant has been appointed with Terms of Reference assigned to consider how a future Army Force Design process should be planned and executed to meet current and future operational taskings and other government assigned tasks. Phase one of the Force Design process is scheduled to be completed and submitted to the Chief of Staff for approval by the end of Q4 2023. An Army Force Design Team has also been established with a Colonel Rank in the lead with initial supporting staff appointed and tasked to progress post-phase one planning.

A detailed implementation plan of the next phase of delivering on the transformation recommendations from the Commission on the Defence Forces is expected to be published in October.

There are currently no plans to reopen Dún Uí Néill barracks in Cavan as a military base, and it is currently being used by Cavan and Monaghan Education and Training Board.

Gino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

109. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will provide an update on the need for cultural change in the Defence Forces and the Strategic Framework: Transformation of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42516/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I published the Strategic Framework on the Transformation of the Defence Forces on 26 September. The purpose of the Strategic Framework is to bring together into one overarching document, the immediate actions to be taken to support the transformation of the Defence Forces into a fit for purpose organisation to defend the State and meet the challenges of today and the future.

My priority within this transformation is cultural change above all else.

It consolidates into one document key actions under a number of Defence Sector reports and plans, which will underpin this transformation.

• The report of the Independent Review Group (IRG), established to examine dignity and equality issues in the Defence Forces published in March 2023.
• The Report of the Commission on Defence Forces (CoDF) published in February 2022
• Specific actions to support the recruitment and retention of the Defence Forces
• the Defence Forces Equipment Development Plan and the Infrastructure Development Plan
• The legislative programme necessary to underpin the transformation efforts

• Specific actions to support cultural change within the Defence Forces through a well-designed and expertly implemented culture change programme, led and driven convincingly from the leadership of the Defence Forces.
• That the numbers of personnel in the Defence Forces are stabilised, and thereafter increasing the strength towards the level of ambition arising from the Report of the Commission on Defence Forces.
• The implementation of a policy for the application of the Working Time Directive within the Defence Forces.
• To progress specific projects to enhance the physical working environment and equipment of our personnel including specific capability enhancements across all Services.
• To set up a new independent, external complaints service for serving members of the Defence Forces and a new complaints process for civilians and civil servants.
• To introduce the legislative changes to support the transformation of the Defence Forces.
• To set up the Judge led Tribunal of Inquiry to examine the effectiveness of the complaints processes in the Defence Forces into workplace issues relating to discrimination, bullying, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual misconduct is established.

• the Secretary General of the Department of Defence and the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces will report on the delivery of actions to the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence quarterly;
• the External Oversight Body of the Defence Forces which is a critical element in achieving the goal of cultural change of the Defence Forces, and the oversight of the Defence Forces in the delivery of actions on foot of the IRG Report will monitor and report on progress the Implementation Oversight Group; and
• the High Level Steering Board tasked to oversee and drive progress on the implementation of the Commission on the Defence Forces will continue.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Since the events of 14th December 2022, in which Private Seán Rooney was killed and a number of his colleagues from the 121st Battalion injured, I have consistently expressed my determination that all of the facts and circumstances of the incident are fully established and that no stone is left unturned to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.

On 26 January, I visited Lebanon and met with my Lebanese counterparts - the Ministers for Foreign Affairs and Defence. I impressed upon them the need to ensure that the Lebanese investigation was as thorough and complete as possible. In March, the Ceann Comhairle visited Lebanon and met with the Lebanese Minister for Defence and the Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament.

Last month, I met the Lebanese Minister for Foreign Affairs in New York at the UN General Assembly and I again raised the matter of the Lebanese criminal investigation.

Through the Embassy in Cairo and the Consulate in Beirut, the Irish Government has maintained close diplomatic contact with the Lebanese authorities in relation to the progress of the Lebanese criminal investigation.

An initial indictment hearing of persons charged in connection with the incident of 14 December, took place on 14 July with a further hearing taking place on 30 August. The next court hearing is scheduled for 15 December 2023. Representatives from the Embassy in Cairo and the Consulate in Beirut have attended all hearings to date. In addition, my Department has engaged a Lebanese legal firm to represent the interests and concerns of the Irish Government at the court hearings.

Given that this matter is now before the Lebanese judicial system, it would not be appropriate to comment further at this time. However, I can assure the House that my Department, the Embassy in Cairo, the Consulate in Beirut and I will continue to monitor developments very closely.

In addition to the criminal investigation, a number of other investigations were initiated following Private Rooney's killing. An Garda Síochána is conducting its own investigation, pursuant to the provisions of the Coroners Act 1962 (as amended), for the purposes of preparing a report for the Coroner.

The United Nations also undertook a Board of Inquiry, which has now been concluded. As this is an internal report of the United Nations, it may not be shared with third parties or made public in any form, either in whole or in part. Consequently, the final report of the Board of Inquiry will not be published. It has, however, been shared with Ireland for official use only.

Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

113. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the strength of the Permanent Defence Force as of September 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42527/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The strength of the Permanent Defence Force as at 31 August 2023, the latest date for which such figures are available, was 7,671 personnel. The establishment of the Permanent Defence Force has recently been increased to 9,589. This increase is intended to expedite implementation of the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces, through the creation of 89 additional promotional opportunities.

I have previously acknowledged the staffing difficulties in the Defence Forces, and work is ongoing to counter these. Current recruitment initiatives include ongoing general service and direct entry recruitment, the re-entry schemes, and the 'Be More' recruitment campaign.

A Joint Induction Training Centre has been established in Gormanston, with a view to increasing the throughput of recruits destined for all branches of the Defence Forces, and the training syllabus for these recruits has been refined.

The maximum age of entry has been increased to 29 years for General Service recruits, Cadets, apprentices, and certain specialists. Fitness test scoring has also been amended to maximise induction levels.

External human resources expertise has recently been engaged. This will assess Defence Forces recruitment and the candidate’s recruitment journey, with a view to validation of current processes and appropriate recommendations, where required.

To address specific challenges in the Naval Service, and in an effort to maximise the recruit pool, psychometric testing for Naval Service General Service recruitment has been paused on a pilot basis for 6 months with an analysis of the revised approach to take place at this point. A specific Naval Service recruitment campaign is in train, and a contract has recently been awarded to a marine specialist recruitment body to target individuals with the skills and expertise required by the Naval Service.

Government has also acknowledged ongoing staffing challenges in the Defence Forces and has introduced a range of financial and non-financial retention measures such as service commitment schemes in the Air Corps and the Naval Service, tax measures, extension of private secondary medical care to all Defence Forces personnel, and significant progress on pay, which compares favourably with other areas in the Public Service.

My immediate focus is on stabilising the numbers of personnel, and to facilitate capacity for further increases. This will enable us to align ultimately with the level of ambition recommended in the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces, and agreed by Government.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

114. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence to indicate, with regard to recent events on the high seas, where the Defence Forces displayed the highest possible degree of competence and bravery, the extent to which he remains satisfied regarding the adequacy of the desired level of air and sea surveillance required to fully police Irish shores and submarine installations; if he remains satisfied that the Defence Forces, Army, Navy and Air Corps have adequate resources at their disposal to meet the challenges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42536/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As Minister for Defence, I commend the courage and professionalism of the Defence Forces personnel involved in this challenging and successful Joint Task Force operation, together with colleagues from Customs and An Garda Síochána.

Overall responsibility for the prevention of drug trafficking rests primarily with the Customs Service of the Revenue Commissioners, while responsibility for the prevention of crime rests primarily with An Garda Síochána. The Joint Task Force on Drug Interdiction was established as a Government measure to improve law enforcement in relation to drugs and consists of members of An Garda Síochána, the Revenue Customs Service and the Naval Service. It has proven to be a very successful model for disrupting the smuggling of drugs on the high seas into Ireland and has resulted in a number of significant and high profile drugs seizures. The White Paper on Defence (2015) reaffirms the security role carried out by the Defence Forces in support of this important work.

My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Defence Forces is maintained to the greatest extent possible to enable the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service to carry out their roles as assigned by Government.

The Naval Service, as the State's principal sea-going agency, is tasked with a variety of defence and other roles. While the main daily tasking of the Naval Service is to provide a fishery protection service in accordance with our obligations as a member of the EU, it also carries out a number of other non-fishery related tasks including drug interdiction, search and rescue, and maritime defence and security operations (MDSO).

The Naval Operations Command Centre located at Naval Base in Haulbowline is staffed twenty four hours a day seven days a week by qualified Naval Service personnel who carry out monitoring and surveillance of all vessels equipped with a Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) that are operating in and adjacent to the Irish EEZ.

Naval Service surveillance is augmented by the Air Corps Maritime Patrol Squadron in patrolling the Irish Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) using the two CASA CN 235 maritime patrol aircraft which are equipped with surveillance and communication equipment. The programme for the supply of two C295 Maritime Patrol Aircraft is nearing completion with the arrival of the first aircraft in June this year. The second C295 Maritime Patrol Aircraft is expected to arrive into Baldonnel later this month. These aircraft will feature updated and upgraded equipment to ensure that the Air Corps can continue to deliver the required capability required of an island country. In addition, the Air Corps fleet of four Pilatus PC-12 aircraft play a key role in the Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) area providing a substantially increased capability with their state of the art surveillance technology.

I am committed to ensuring that the Defence Forces continue to be equipped and trained to best international standards to carry out the roles assigned to them by Government.

Gino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

115. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will outline the recruitment and retention challenges facing the Defence Forces; how the Strategic Framework: Transformation of the Defence Forces will address those challenges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42518/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As at 31 August 2023, the strength of the Permanent Defence Forces was 7,671 personnel comprised of 6,221 Army personnel, 695 Air Corps personnel and 775 Naval Service personnel.

I have previously acknowledged the staffing difficulties in the Defence Forces, and work is ongoing to counter these. Current recruitment initiatives include ongoing general service and direct entry recruitment, the re-entry schemes, and the 'Be More' recruitment campaign.

A Joint Induction Training Centre has been established in Gormanston, with a view to increasing the throughput of recruits destined for all branches of the Defence Forces, and the training syllabus for these recruits has been refined.

The maximum age of entry has been increased to 29 years for General Service recruits, Cadets, apprentices, and certain specialists. Fitness test scoring has also been amended to maximise induction levels.

External human resources expertise has recently been engaged. This will assess Defence Forces recruitment and the candidate’s recruitment journey, with a view to validation of current processes and appropriate recommendations, where required. Their initial focus is on the Naval Service.

To address specific challenges in the Naval Service, and in an effort to maximise the recruit pool, psychometric testing for Naval Service General Service recruitment has been paused on a pilot basis for 6 months with an analysis of the revised approach to take place at this point. A specific Naval Service recruitment campaign is in train, and a contract has recently been awarded to a marine specialist recruitment body to target individuals with the skills and expertise required by the Naval Service.

Government has also introduced a range of financial and non-financial retention measures such as service commitment schemes in the Air Corps and the Naval Service, tax measures, extension of private medical care to all Defence Forces personnel, and significant progress on pay, which compares favourably with other areas in the Public Service.

My immediate focus is on stabilising the numbers of personnel, and to facilitate capacity for further increases. This will enable us to align ultimately with the level of ambition recommended in the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces, and agreed by Government.

The Strategic Framework on the Transformation of the Defence Forces brings together into one plan the actions to be taken to support the transformation agenda and sets core priorities for completion by the end of 2024, one of which is the stabilisation of personnel numbers.