Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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With the publication of the IRG Report in March of last year, I have committed, in line with its recommendations, to introduce on an interim basis, an independent complaints system for its serving members while the process of transforming the existing systems gets underway.

My officials have undertaken extensive policy and legislative analysis to identify options for a system which will take the complaints process outside the immediate chain of command for the complainant.

Work has been ongoing to identify and assess all options with a particular focus on the unique status of Defence Force members where in addition to being subject to civil law they are also subject to military law, which has its own justice system.

Therefore it is not legally feasible to implement an external independent complaints system to address complaints of bullying, harassment and sexual harassment, as prescribed in the IRG Report which envisaged that such a process can be introduced by amendment to Administrative Instruction A7, Chapter 1.

Implementation of an external and independent complaint system, would require significant changes to primary legislation (The Defence Act). This is due to a number of factors, but primarily, that all conduct within the Defence Forces, including matters pertaining to military discipline, are enshrined in the Defence Act.

The Independent Review Group (IRG) recognised in its Report that the overhaul of the existing complaints system will involve legislative change and will take time.

My primary objective, therefore, is to provide Defence Force members’ with access to a robust interim professional complaints service that is fit for purpose and has the trust of those accessing it. The intention is that this process will remain available for as long as it takes to put a trusted internal system in place. With this in mind I am currently examining a range of options.

While I appreciate the urgency of putting a revised system in place it is imperative that any complaints system is viable from an operational and legal perspective.

Ruairi Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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69. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he can provide an update on the current UNIFIL mission in which Defence Forces’ members are taking part in South Lebanon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2740/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Ireland has participated in the UNIFIL since its establishment in 1978. The UNIFIL mission represents Ireland's largest overseas deployment and on 16 May 2023 the Government approved the continued participation of the Defence Forces in UNIFIL for a further 12 month period.

The 123^rdInfantry Battalion commenced its six month deployment with UNIFIL in November of last year and as of 11 January 2024, there are 329 Defence Forces Personnel serving with the mission.

All personnel are accounted for and are safe and well. Defence Forces’ personnel comply fully with all UN security precautions, including taking shelter in protected positions when and as appropriate.

I wish to reassure the House that the safety and security of Defence Forces’ personnel is of paramount concern to the Government. In each of the missions located in the Middle East (UNIFIL, UNDOF & UNTSO), Defence Forces’ personnel comply fully with all UN security precautions, including taking shelter in protected positions as appropriate. I am in ongoing contact with the Chief of Staff, and the Department of Defence and am kept appraised of all developments in those areas in which Defence Forces’ personnel are deployed, and the situation is being monitored closely.

Troops selected for overseas service undergo a rigorous programme of training designed to help them carry out their peacekeeping mission and to provide for their protection. Pre-deployment training is provided to members of the Permanent Defence Force and is updated in the light of increased threat.

We will continue to monitor the situation closely along with our partners in the UN and the wider international community.

Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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72. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence what specific training members of the Israeli Defence Forces received during their time in Ireland; how many members of the Israeli Defence Forces have received training in Ireland since 2018; if there are any Israeli military personal currently training in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2792/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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At the United Nations Peacekeeping Defence Ministerial held in Vancouver in 2017, Ireland pledged certain training capabilities for delivery in Ireland at the UN Training School in the Curragh (UNTSI). The military courses were in response to an identified UN need and offered as part of the UN Peacekeeping Capability Readiness System. It is open to all countries who are members of the UN to seek places on these courses. Ireland has successfully delivered on our training pledges to the UN.

The Protection of Civilians course in particular is a training competence where the UN recognises Ireland's strong expertise in delivering courses to international students.

I have been advised by Military Management of the following details in relation to Israeli Defence Forces personnel who have attended these courses conducted in the Irish Defence Forces since 2018.

Table 1: Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) attendance at courses conducted in the Irish Defence Forces since 2018.

Military Management has also advised that there are currently no plans for Israeli Defence Forces personnel to attend Irish Defence Forces training courses in 2024.

Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
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73. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will clarify the number of members of the IDF who have visited and/or trained in the State, are currently training or visiting or where plans exist for them to do so; the precise areas of military and related training or visitation involved; the cost or payment to the State of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2742/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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At the United Nations Peacekeeping Defence Ministerial held in Vancouver in 2017, Ireland pledged certain training capabilities for delivery in Ireland at the UN Training School in the Curragh (UNTSI). The military courses were in response to an identified UN need and offered as part of the UN Peacekeeping Capability Readiness System. Ireland has successfully delivered on our training pledges to the UN and is strongly recognised for its expertise in delivering these courses, particularly the Protection of Civilians course. Countries who are members of the United Nations can apply to participate on these courses.

In addition, Ireland has been a member of Partnership for Peace since 1999 and part of our commitments under this Programme is to host PfP training courses which Ireland has done over the last decade.

Costs in the main are met by the home nation of the foreign student and in the case of PfP training courses, funding has been made available to Ireland from the Programme to host the courses.

I have been advised by Military Management of the following details in relation to Israeli Defence Forces personnel attendance at these courses conducted in Ireland since 2001.

Table 1: Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) personnel attendance at courses conducted in the Irish Defence Forces since 2001.

Military Management have also advised that the costs for these courses are borne by the home nation of the foreign student and that there are currently no plans for Israeli Defence Forces personnel to attend Irish Defence Forces training courses in 2024.

Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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75. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his key priorities for the Defence Forces in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2765/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Programme for Government contains an ambitious range of commitments concerning the Defence sector that my Department will continue to implement over the lifetime of the Programme.

As Minister, I am deeply committed to the transformation of the Defence Forces into a modern fit for purpose organisation to defend the State and meet the challenges of today and the future.

One of the key commitments was to establish a Commission on the Defence Forces and their report was published on the 9th February 2022.

The Detailed Implementation Plan for the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces published in November 2023 is a further important step on this journey and builds on the publication of the Commission Report itself in February 2022, the High Level Action Plan in July 2022 and the Early Actions Update published in March 2023. This plan sets out an ambitious programme of work to move to ‘Level of Ambition 2’ (LOA 2) by 2028 and the significant and fundamental change for the Defence Forces that will be delivered across the Commission’s recommendations.

One of the Early Actions identified in the High-Level Action Plan was the commencement of a Strategic Defence Review as part of the regular defence review process set out in the White Paper. The Strategic Defence Review has commenced with the preparation of a revised security environment assessment (SEA) which is currently being conducted by an interdepartmental working group and will address the significant security environment changes since the invasion of Ukraine. A fresh consideration of the implications of this assessment for overall policy requirements, associated tasks, capability development and resourcing will then be completed and is a key policy priority in 2024.

Along with the actions arising from the Commission on the Defence Forces the following items are some of the more immediate priorities for my Department:

Independent Review Group

The report of the Independent Review Group (IRG) established to examine dignity and equality issues in the Defence Forces was published following Government approval on 28th March 2023. As part of the response to the IRG Report, the Government approved the establishment of an External Oversight Body for the Defence Forces to drive the necessary culture changes throughout the Defence Forces and enhance transparency and accountability. This is an essential part of the transformation of the current workplace to support current serving members and remains a priority for 2024.

The External Oversight Body is chaired by Prof. Brian MacCraith; its Terms of Reference were published on the 12th July 2023. To support the body in its work, a dedicated Secretariat has been established and in 2023 the Body met on 15 occasions. Legislation is also being developed to put this Body on a statutory footing as soon as possible.

On 16 January Government approval was given for the Terms of Reference for a judge-led Tribunal of Inquiry, as recommended by the Independent Review Group. Government also approved the appointment of Ms. Justice Ann Power to Chair the Tribunal. Government will now seek the approval of the Oireachtas to formally establish the Tribunal, and get work underway as early as possible this year.

Separately, in a further implementation of the IRG's recommendations, Mr. Kevin Duffy has been appointed as independent Chair of a new Working Group to develop a complaints process for civilian employees and civil servants who work with the Defence Forces. This is another important step in implementing the recommendations of the Independent Review Group.

Strategic Framework

Following the publication of the Report of the Independent Review Group on Dignity and Equality issues in the Defence Forces (IRG) in March 2023, I set out my priority to develop one Strategic Frameworkfor the transformation of the Defence Forces, so it would be fully understandable to everyone.

In September 2023, the Strategic Framework - Transformation of the Defence Forces was published. This document clearly sets out the vital work that is underway relating to the transformation of the Defence Forces and outlines the necessary actions to be delivered by the end of 2024. It covers the recommendations made in the Report of the Independent Review Group on Dignity and Equality issues in the Defence Forces (IRG) and the Commission on the Defence Forces Report (CoDF), together with measures to address recruitment and retention challenges, and the legislative changes needed to modernise our Defence Forces.

My priority within this transformation is cultural change above all else. The end goal of this cultural change is to ensure that the Defence Forces is an equal opportunities employer, reflective of contemporary Irish society and that is providing a safe workplace where

• self-worth is actively promoted,
• mutual respect becomes a dominant feature,
• all members are treated with dignity,
• in an organisation that continuously evolves to deliver positive change.

• will establish the External Oversight Body of the Defence Forces on a statutory basis in line with a recommendation of the Independent Review Group on dignity and equality issues in the Defence Forces;
• address the longer-term associate membership of ICTU for the representative associations for the Permanent Defence Force;
• update other miscellaneous provisions of the Defence Acts to address issues that have been identified.