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

79. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which ongoing changes identified in recent reviews of the Defence Forces including pay, gender respect and bullying and/or other sensitive issues are being addressed; the progress to date in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2757/24]

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

The Government is committed to a range of actions to address key issues identified in recent reviews of the Defence Forces.

The Strategic Framework on the Transformation of the Defence Forces, which I published last September, brings 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.

Core priorities identified for completion by the end of 2024 under the Strategic Framework are:

• 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.

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

The Government has recently approved the drafting of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2023.

It is intended that this Bill will provide for various amendments to be made to the Defence Acts 1954 to 2015, one of which will be to provide for the protection of the term “Óglaigh na hÉireann”.

This proposed amendment reflects the central aim of the Private Member’s Bill (“The Defence (Restriction on Use of Certain Titles) Bill 2021”) which was introduced into the Seanad by Senator Malcolm Byrne.

The purpose of the amendment will be to provide that it shall be an offence for a person without the authority of the Minister for Defence to use the term ‘Óglaigh na hÉireann’ or any words closely resembling this term, as the name, title or description, or styling of any organisation, group, association or body, or as part of the name, title, description or styling of any organisation, group, association or body. A person who commits an offence under this section shall be liable on summary conviction to a class D fine. Any such offence may be prosecuted by the Minister for Defence in accordance with section 7 of the Defence Act 1954.

The drafting of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2023 is being progressed in conjunction with the Office of Parliamentary Counsel.

Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

81. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence how many members of the Israeli Defence Forces have attended the Irish Military College since 2011; how many are currently attending the Military College; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2777/24]

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

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. These courses were open for application from all countries who are members of the UN which included Israel and are detailed below.

In addition, the Defence Forces also deliver a course as part of our commitment to the Partnership for Peace Programme which we have been part of since 1999. A course organised under this programme included a participant from the Israeli Defence Forces.

I have been advised by Military Management of the following details in relation to the Israeli Defence Forces personnel attendance at these courses conducted in the Irish Defence Forces since 2011.

Table 1: Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) personnel attendance at courses conducted in the Irish Defence Forces since 2011.

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