Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael)
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63. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence to provide an update on his Department’s efforts to increase gender balance within the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2787/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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It is Government policy to increase female participation rates at all levels of the Defence Forces.

As of 1 December 2023, the female representation of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) stands at 7%. While this percentage is far from satisfactory, it is not out of kilter with standards across international militaries.

The Chief of Staff’s aim to increase the percentage of females recruited to the Defence Forces in 2023 to 9% was achieved.

A number of initiatives to both attract females and to retain serving female members are in train. For example:

• A female specific recruitment team has been established to co-ordinate the attendance of tri-service female specific recruiting teams at national and regional level events.
• The team are actively engaging with organisations such as the Ladies’ Gaelic Football Association, the Camogie Association, Women in STEM events, the Department of Education, Hersport.ie and 30% Club in conjunction with the Defence Forces Gender Equality and Diversity Officer.
• In addition the team will engage with the Defence Forces Marketing and Media partner to highlight the career opportunities available to women, across the three Services.
• The Defence Forces are taking a broad approach in terms of fitness testing, with requirements tailored specifically for females.
• There has also been an emphasis on Fitness Test Preparation. Videos relating to the Defence Forces Induction Fitness Test are available on its website.
• Plans for the recruitment of a senior Gender Advisor, at Colonel level, in line with a recommendation in the Commission on the Defence Forces, are at an advanced stage.
• Gender, Diversity and Unconscious Bias Training took place across all Formations and Services last year.
• Also in 2023, private secondary medical care was extended to enlisted personnel. This is an important development, as it is will include private medical care during pregnancy.
• The Military Authorities have also put in place arrangements for participation by female Officers at Defence Forces Board level.
• A joint Department of Defence and Defence Forces Women’s Network which was launched in January 2022, has been very successful.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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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.

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 2022, took place on 14 July 2023 with a further hearing taking place on 30 August.

On 15 November last, my Department became aware that one of the individuals accused of the murder of Private Seán Rooney, and who had been in Lebanese custody, had been released on bail. Following enquiries, it was confirmed that he had been released on bail with the payment of a financial bond and that the release was granted for medical reasons.

The most recent hearing of the Court Case took place on 15 December last. The Department of Defence was represented in court at this hearing by its Beirut-based lawyer. The Irish Ambassador was also in attendance.

It was disappointing to learn that none of those indicted for Private Seán Rooney’s killing, including the individual recently released from custody on bail, appeared in court at the 15 December hearing, and that the case has been further adjourned to 7 June 2024.

The Government has repeatedly stressed the need for justice to be served in this case and I have, on a number of occasions, raised the issue with my Lebanese Defence and Foreign Affairs counterparts. I will continue to make strong representations in this matter with the Lebanese authorities and with the United Nations. Private Rooney’s family has been, and is kept, informed of all these developments as they happen.

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.