Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

191. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the current number of apprentice carpenters in the Defence Forces; and the supports available to those who are required to temporarily relocate for the academic portion of said apprenticeship. [47891/23]

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

The military authorities have advised that there are no apprentice carpenters in the Defence Forces. Thirteen personnel in the Permanent Defence Force are currently registered in the carpentry stream of the Defence Force Trainee Technician Scheme. Seven personnel qualified through this scheme during 2023. The trainees undertake “on the Job” work experience and training within academic/training institutions. Trainees that attend an academic/training institution that is not within a reasonable distance of their home address, are accommodated in the nearest barracks and meals are provided there, or paid for when off base. Where military accommodation is not within a reasonable distance, hotel or bed & breakfast accommodation is organised with subsistence claims covered as part of the training.

Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

192. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence to provide clarity and additional information on the statement made by the Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media and at the Department of Education (details supplied). [47894/23]

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

A key priority for me, as Minister for Defence, is to ensure that the capabilities of the Defence Forces are maintained, developed and enhanced in order to ensure that they can carry out all of the roles assigned to them by Government, as set out in the White Paper on Defence.

Engagement in Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) projects is one of the ways in which we can achieve capability development. Ireland joined PESCO in 2017 and our engagement in PESCO projects is completely voluntary. We decide what projects we engage in; all current projects that we participate in align with our national capability needs, this will be the case for future projects in which Ireland will engage.

Currently Ireland is a full participant in four projects and has Observer status on a further twenty-one projects.

The four projects in which we are participating are - (1) Deployable Military Disaster Relief Capability Package (DM-DRCP); (2) Upgrade of Maritime Surveillance (UMS); (3) Maritime (semi-) Autonomous Systems for Mine Countermeasures (MAS MCM); (4) Cyber Threats and Incident Response Information Sharing Platform (CTISP).

The establishment of PESCO represents a further development in EU Cooperation in support of international peace and security under CSDP. PESCO is underpinned by cooperation; Member States come together in to develop additional capabilities and enablers for peacekeeping and crisis management operations.

My Department and the Defence Forces analyse PESCO Projects on a regular basis and make recommendations to me where there is value in Ireland engaging. It is often the case that PESCO projects are large scale projects which encompass research and development, Ireland cannot achieve capabilities in these large scale areas alone. It makes complete sense to work with other Member States to develop capabilities of mutual interest.

Our participation in PESCO projects is reflective of what brings the most value to Defence Forces capabilities and I support our Defence Forces being more ambitious in this regard. As future capabilities needs are identified, PESCO projects will form the basis of evaluating how we can reach those capabilities collaboratively with other EU Member States.

Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

193. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence to provide an update on the independent review into allegations of abuse in the Defence Forces. [47895/23]

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

The report of the Independent Review Group established to examine dignity and equality issues in the Defence Forceswas published on 28 March 2023. The Government agreed to progress the recommendations contained in the Report, which included the establishment of a Statutory Inquiry to identify systemic failures, if any, in the complaints system, in order to ensure accountability and transparency.

I met with the various stakeholders to discuss the terms of reference and some made written submissions.

I and my officials consulted with the Attorney General in relation to establishing such an Inquiry and also discussed at length the various suggestions in relation to the Terms of Reference which were of course shared with the stakeholders.

On 11 July last, I obtained the approval of Government to establish a Judge-led Tribunal of Inquiry, pursuant to the provisions of the Tribunals of Inquiry (Evidence) Act, 1921 (as amended), to examine the effectiveness of the complaints processes in the Defence Forces and to address workplace issues relating to discrimination, bullying, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual misconduct.

I have now considered the various comments and observations on the Terms of Reference and have circulated them to the stakeholders .

I am now anxious to proceed to establish the Tribunal as it was first called for in September 2021 . It is my intention to revert to Government in the coming weeks to seek approval for the Terms of Reference and for the appointment of a Judge to Chair the Tribunal.