Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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86. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence what measures are being taken to ensure safety of our peacekeeping troops stationed in Lebanon and in particular their monitoring of the Blue Line demarcation between Lebanon and Israel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2744/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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As of 11 January 2024, there are 329 Defence Forces Personnel serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

The safety and security of Ireland’s 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 I continue to monitor the situation 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.

With regard to the UNIFIL mission specifically, I am advised that the situation in the Irish Area of Operations currently is classified as tense and unpredictable with a continuation of kinetic activity emanating from both north and south of the Blue Line (separating Israel from Lebanon) and with a noticeable increase in reported incidents. The Defence Forces' Infantry Battalion in south Lebanon implements Force Protection measures appropriate to the prevailing operational and security developments in the region. On several occasions since the commencement of hostilities, UNIFIL, and specifically IRISHPOLBATT, have been subject to GROUNDHOG (taking shelter in protected positions).

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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87. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he received the letter from the Women of Honour group in November; if he accepts their view on his comments of the unsafe nature of the workplace; what updates he will give in relation to this letter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2793/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I did not receive the letter to which the Deputy refers but I am aware of a statement issued by the Women of Honour at that time.

I have met the Women of Honour and their legal representatives on a number of occasions, the most recent being on 14th December last.

In relation to correspondence issued from my office of 2 November, 2023, to the legal representatives of the Women of Honour, the content reflects what was actually said at a meeting with the Group and clarifies the breadth of inquiry that could ensue if the Terms of Reference were to expressly include Health and Safety legislation.

I have advised 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 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 Report of the Independent Review Group (IRG) was circulated to the HSA following publication earlier this year. The HSA are currently undertaking an inspection of the Defence Forces arising from matters in the Report.

The Government on Tuesday last approved the Terms of Reference for the Tribunal and a Judge to Chair the Inquiry. A motion for resolution to establish the Tribunal of Inquiry will come before this House tomorrow.

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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88. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of members of the Israeli Defence Forces, by year, that have trained in the Irish Military College since 2008; the training received; and if Israeli Defence Forces members will be permitted to avail of such training in the future considering that forces’ ongoing participation in the assault on the Occupied Palestinian Territory. [2729/24]

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.

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 2008.

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.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware overall responsibility for the prevention of drug trafficking rests primarily with the Customs Service of the Revenue Commissioners, while responsibility for the prevention of crime rests primarily with An Garda Síochána.

The Joint Task Force on Drug Interdiction was established as a Government measure to improve law enforcement in relation to drugs and consists of members of An Garda Síochána, the Revenue Customs Service and the Naval Service. It has proven to be a very successful model for disrupting the smuggling of drugs on the high seas into Ireland and has resulted in a number of significant and high profile drugs seizures. The White Paper on Defence (2015) reaffirms the security role carried out by the Defence Forces in support of this important work.

The Naval Service enjoys a highly beneficial relationship with MAOC (N) since its establishment in 2007, participating in a number of successful joint task force operations with partner nations and agencies across Europe and the Atlantic, and ongoing consultation between MAOC (N) and Naval Service Command will continue in order to ensure provision of maritime military expertise in support of future MAOC (N) operations.

The Defence Forces have participated in a number of high profile drug interdiction operations resulting in significant seizures of drugs in recent years, and while some drug interdiction operations have been widely reported, the Deputy will appreciate that for operational and security reasons it is not appropriate for me to provide the information as requested.

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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90. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the progress made implementing the Working Time Directive; if agreement has been reached between civilian and military management regarding the scope of duties which will fall within the Directive; and the timeframe in which a heads of Bill will be published. [2733/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to assure the Deputy that I remain fully committed to ensuring that the provisions of the Working Time Directive are applied, where appropriate, to members of the Defence Forces. Action 28, of the Strategic Framework, published on 26 September last, stipulated that the civil-military management policy position on the implementation of the Working Time Directive within the Defence Forces would be finalised by the end of December 2023.

I can confirm that management position was submitted to me. I am currently examining the paper in full and will be making a determination on that position in due course.

Significant deliberations have taken place between the PDF Representative Associations and civilian-military management to reach this point and I wish to express my appreciation to all parties for their constructive engagement in the extensive dialogue which has taken place.

The Deputy will be aware, however, the responsibility for developing the legislative framework to remove the blanket exemption for the Defence Forces in the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997, lies with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE). Upon my determination on the matter, my officials will thereafter commence formal engagement with the Department.

Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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91. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans to revitalise the Reserve Defence Force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2736/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces (CODF) contained a number of recommendations on the Reserve Defence Force. Two recommendations from the report, denoted as ‘Early Actions’, related to the establishment of an Office of Reserve Affairs (ORA) and the development of a Regeneration Plan for the Reserve.

The ORA has been established and is currently staffed by 7 members (6 PDF and 1 RDF).

Following the establishment of the Office of Reserve Affairs (ORA), the Director of ORA advises that their immediate focus is on the development of a Regeneration Plan.

65 additional new members were inducted in 2023, 59 inducted into the Army Reserve and 6 inducted into the Naval Service Reserve. A recruitment drive for the RDF was launched last year in October 2023, which was advertised across a number of media channels. Recruit Liaison Officers across the RDF conducted local recruitment to attract applicants for this campaign.

Other strategies employed have involved the use of social media, the Defence Forces Press Office, outreach activities by RDF members, and the use of PDF exit interviews which provided information on applying to the RDF.

Work has also been completed on streamlining the two-stage medical process and fitness testing is now completed before medicals. To date, there are over 800 live applications resulting from the Oct 2023 campaign, with 34 medicals completed.

A more robust and streamlined recruitment process lends itself also to the CoDF recommendations relating to the structure and strength of the RDF, such as increasing the future RDF establishment strength to include, at a minimum, an Air Force Reserve of 200, and a Navy Reserve of 400.

The budget of €2,050,000 for the RDF was exceeded last year by nearly €190,000, due to an increase in training days completed by RDF members in 2023. This is a clear example of the positive growth and regeneration of the RDF in 2023 and, as a result, an increase in the budget has been provided for 2024.

I would like to assure the Deputy that it is my aim, and that of the Chief of Staff, to ensure that the regeneration of the RDF remains a key goal in 2024 and beyond.