Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

60. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence for an overview of Budget 2024 in relation to the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50709/23]

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

The total allocation provided for the Defence Vote Group for 2024 is €1.231 billion, comprising of €921 million for Vote 36 - Defence and €310 million for Vote 35 - Army Pensions. This is an overall increase of €21 million on 2023.

For 2024, the key priority is to progress the transformation of the Defence Forces, with a programme of work as outlined in the Strategic Framework, including facilitating ongoing investment in defence capabilities while also ensuring that the Defence Forces are fully funded to continue to deliver on all operational outputs, both at home and overseas.

The Commission on the Defence Forces reinforced the requirement for significant capital investment on defensive equipment programmes and on upgrading and modernising the Defence Forces built infrastructure. In that context, I welcome the 2024 Defence capital allocation of €176 million, an allocation which ensures that the capital budget for Defence is maintained at its highest ever level.

This allocation will be used for the ongoing replacement and upgrade of essential military equipment, necessary building and maintenance works and ICT projects, as part of a sustained programme of equipment replacement and infrastructural development to include, inter alia, Primary Radar, Software Defined Radio and Force Protection Programmes along with a wide range of Defence Forces Built Infrastructure projects encompassing Army, Air Corps and Naval Service installations throughout the country.

The overall 2024 Defence (Vote 36) pay allocation of €538 million provides for the pay and allowances of Permanent Defence Force personnel, civilian employees (technicians, trades, etc.) and departmental civil servants. It also provides for paid training for members of the Reserve Defence Force.

Ongoing staffing difficulties in the Defence Forces are acknowledged and, in that context, there are a vast number of recruitment and retention measures currently underway within the Defence Organisation to address these issues. I can confirm that the 2024 PDF pay allocation provides for a prevailing PDF strength of 7,700 plus anticipated additional personnel of 400, and includes all carryover impacts of the existing Public Service Pay Agreement.

The current expenditure non-pay allocation has increased significantly by €32 million to €207 million and provides mainly for essential and ongoing Defence Forces standing and operational costs including utilities, fuel, catering, maintenance, information technology and training.

The Defence allocation for 2024 also includes specific funding for a number of key recommendations arising from the CODF and the IRG, such as:

• An increased Civilian Support allocation to facilitate further progression of civilian recruitment and to also allow for an increased spend on the essential engagement of external contractors and consultants;
• An increased Defence Forces Medical Healthcare allocation to cover the full year costs of extended healthcare to all Defence Forces personnel;
• A specific provision to meet the 2024 costs of the Tribunal of Inquiry arising from the IRG Report;
• A significant increase in the advertising allocation to support an enhanced Defence Forces recruitment effort throughout 2024;

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

61. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his response to the statement in the Report of the Consultative Forum on International Security Policy that Ireland is not, and never has been, in a position to defend its neutrality, unlike other neutral European countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50711/23]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 61 and 66 together.

The Chairperson of the Forum, Louise Richardson, has prepared and presented her report, which provides a summary and analysis of the four days of discussions and submissions to the public consultation. This report was published and presented to Government on 17 October. The Dáil debate on the report, to which I committed, will take place tomorrow.

One of the key points raised over the four days of the Consultative Forum was the requirement to invest in the Defence Forces. This requirement to invest more in our Defence Forces has already started, as reflected in the increased spending allocations in Budgets 2023 and 2024.

Following detailed consideration of the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces, the Government approved a move to Level of Ambition 2, with a commensurate increase of the Defence budget from €1.1 billion to €1.5 billion, in 2022 prices, by 2028.

Significant progress has been made on the development of a detailed plan to implement the Commission recommendations by 2028. This detailed implementation plan was approved by Government today (Tuesday 21st November) and published.

The Government also approved a Strategic Framework for Transformation of the Defence Forces in September, which outlines the necessary actions to be delivered by the end of 2024 as part of the longer-term transformation of the Defence Forces into a fit-for-purpose organisation to defend the State and meet the challenges of today and the future. There is a focus on strategic HR and cultural change which will serve to transform the internal working environment for serving members.

The Strategic Defence Review is one of these priorities and the first stage of this process has commenced with the preparation of a revised security environment assessment (SEA). This is currently being progressed by an interdepartmental working group, having full regard to the significantly changed security environment in Europe following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Following its completion, a fresh consideration of the implications of this assessment for overall policy requirements, associated tasks, capability development and resourcing will then be completed.

As well as encompassing the Government's response to the recommendations from the Commission on the Defence Forces, the Strategic Defence Review will consider the reflections of the Consultative Forum on international security and the future role of the Defence Forces both nationally and internationally.

In term of capability, the priorities for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service are considered as part of the capability development planning processes which include both a five-year Equipment Development Plan and a Built Infrastructure Programme.

The Equipment Development Plan recognises the need to maintain and upgrade military capabilities having regard to emerging priorities, operational requirements and changes in technology. This is an ongoing process, with significant progress having been made in terms of equipment procurement and modernisation in the last 18 months.

As capability development is an ongoing iterative process, there are a number of further defensive equipment acquisition and upgrade projects that are currently ongoing, at different stages, and due to be completed this year and planned for completion over the coming years. These include those capabilities highlighted by the Commission on the Defence Forces such as Primary Radar and Counter Unmanned Aerial Vehicle systems.

The Chair’s Report of the Consultative Forum on International Security Policy references the investment that other neutral states have made in their Armed Forces. I am certain that the delivery of the recommendations of the Commission on the Defence Forces as well as the Strategic Framework will result in transformation with a modern, agile, forward looking Defence Forces equipped to deal with the increasingly complex security environment.

Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

62. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will include the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 in the terms of reference of the tribunal of inquiry, specifically in the context of the sensitive, significant matters and working circumstances raised by a group (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50893/23]

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.

Draft Terms of Reference were prepared in consultation with the Attorney General and shared with a wide variety of interested parties.

In July, I obtained the approval of the 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 continued to engage with a range of stakeholders to this process.

I have met the Women of Honour and their legal representatives on a number of occasions, the most recent being on 27 September last. Many of the additional terms and edits sought by the Women of Honour and their legal team, including their request for a statutory public inquiry have been included in the terms of reference for the Tribunal of Inquiry.

I have explained at these meetings that the Terms of Reference must be clearly defined to ensure that the Tribunal is capable of completing the task assigned to it within a reasonable timeframe. I have also outlined that certain terms sought for inclusion will in fact be examined in separate, non-statutory investigations, in line with the recommendations in the IRG report.

It is important to note that the Tribunal will have regard to any and all relevant legislative provisions, which includes the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, and this will be at the discretion of the Judge who will be appointed as Chair of the Tribunal.

The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) is the statutory body responsible for matters relating to occupational health and safety. A copy of the IRG Report was circulated to the HSA following publication earlier this year. I welcome the inspection of the Defence Forces which the HSA recently advised that they propose to undertake, arising from matters in the IRG Report.

Revised Terms of Reference for the Tribunal of Inquiry have been shared recently with individuals and groups who have been in contact with my Office.

I intend 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.