Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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These properties are no longer in the possession of the Department.

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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173. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the percentage of the 2023 budget allocation for purchasing new horses for the Defence Forces equitation school that was actually spent; and if any of underspend from the 2023 budget is automatically forwarded to the 2024 budget for same. [3880/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The School’s budget allocation in 2023 for horse acquisitions was initially set at €350,000. Additional funding was secured in 2023 as the Horse Purchase Board identified a number of suitable horses that were available for purchase. Five new horses were bought in 2023 as well as payments made for the continued lease of two horses. The total cost of these payments was €524,500. The School’s budget allocation in 2024 for horse acquisitions is set at €500,000.

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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174. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he has considered amending the upper age limits for persons that have an ambition to become a member of the Defence Forces (detail supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3908/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The age limits for personnel wishing to enter the Defence Forces are as set out in Regulations made pursuant to the Defence Act 1954, as amended. The entry age limits for General Service Recruits, Air Corps Aircraft Apprentices and certain Direct Entry ‘other rank’ specialists (DFSM Instrumentalists) were increased to 29 years in 2023.

Further age increases for these streams require legislative change and, in that context, the General Scheme of the Defence Amendment Bill 2023, published on 10 January 2024, includes an amendment to the provisions regarding the engagement of enlisted personnel. This amendment will remove current obstacles, and provide for greater flexibility on increasing the maximum age limits for personnel who wish to enlist in the Defence Forces.

Increases in age limits for other streams, including Direct Entry Officers, are currently being considered.

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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175. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence to provide an update on the restrictions he intends placing on Defence Forces representative associations; the reason he believes that a Defence Forces representative association or a representative of such association should be prohibited in law from making a public statement or comment concerning a political matter [or question or express an opinion on the merits of any policy] of the Government or a Minister of the Government or on the merits of the objectives of such policy (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4043/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The proposals set out in the General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2023 to prohibit the Defence Force Representative Associations from making a public statement or comment concerning a political matter is already provided for in Regulation, namely the Defence Force Regulation (DFR) S.6, which states that “No public statement or comment concerning a political matter shall be made by the Association”. This position was also confirmed as part of the terms of the 2022 High Court settlement with the Representative Associations in connection with temporary associate membership of ICTU.

Representative Associations are, however, entitled to comment on the impact that a particular policy is having on its members. Under Defence Forces Regulation DFR S.6, regulation 27 (2), a Representative Association can comment on matters within the scope of representation of the Association as set out in the Third Schedule to these regulations, and the internal affairs of the Association.

It is intended that the Representative Associations will continue to have the right to comment on matters as provided for under existing Regulations.