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.

It is important to note that Representative Associations are 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 all matters that fall within the scope of representation of the Association, as set out in the Third Schedule to these regulations. This will not be altered by the Defence (Amendment) Bill.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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It is the case that since 23 January 2020, the holder of the post of Director of Military Prosecutions (DMP) cannot be a member of a Representative Association. This point is set out in Defence Force Regulation (DFR) 02/2020, Section 4(1) and Section 6(2).

The draft Defence (Amendment) Bill proposes to confirm that position and to further include the post of the Military Judge (MJ). Both these posts are unique within the Defence Forces, in that the post holders are independent in the performance of their functions, are not obliged to report to anyone in relation to their functions and the post holders are not in the chain of command. Equally, the DMP and MJ posts are for all members of the Defence Forces and as such they must be seen to be wholly independent, by all, both officers and enlisted, in carrying out their specific duties.

Furthermore the posts of DMP and MJ are open to the public to apply and the terms and conditions for those posts are set out in legislation.

The ruling from the Adjudicator, under the Conciliation and Arbitration (C&A) Scheme for members of the Permanent Defence Forces, is currently under appeal to the defence sector Arbitration Board. This appeal is part and parcel of the rights of all parties to the C&A Scheme.

The ruling of the Adjudicator, on this matter, is available on the Oireachtas Library website, via the following link:

opac.oireachtas.ie/Data/Library3/Documents%20Laid/2023/pdf/DODdoclaid290623_142755.pdf.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The establishment for the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) was recently increased by 89 to 9,589 to account for the first cohort of Commission on the Defence Forces (CODF) transformation appointments. Personnel in training are counted as part of the 9,589 establishment level. As at 31 December 2023, the strength of the PDF was 7,550 personnel. The requested breakdown of the establishment, strength, and those in full time training figures broken down by service are contained in the table below.

*includes 89 personnel for CODF implementation

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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To answer the Deputy's questions, since its establishment in 1974, the UNDOF mission has helped maintain an area of separation over 75 kilometers long between the Israeli and Syrian forces in the Golan Heights, thereby substantially contributing to fulfilling its UN mandate.

In recent years, the region has encountered varying escalations of conflict, which have affected the UNDOF area of operations. Nevertheless, the UN Secretary General’s most recent report acknowledged the continued importance of both parties liaising with UNDOF, as part of a continuous effort to contribute to de-escalation during times of heightened tension. The difficult operating environment for the mission should not detract from the importance of the mission in contributing to regional stability and deescalating tensions between the parties. As stated in the mandate, UNDOF’s deployment and the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement are steps toward a just and durable peace on the basis of Security Council resolution 338 (1973).

As the Deputy will be aware, all peacekeeping missions have associated risk. The Defence Forces have operated in the Middle East since 1958 and is habitually acquainted with the risks associated with this theatre. The Defence Forces are well trained, equipped and are resolute in carrying out the peacekeeping and humanitarian tasks assigned to it in the fulfilment of its overseas missions.

The Defence Force, on an ongoing basis, engage in ongoing risk assessments and mitigation for all its peacekeeping missions. As is the case in all Missions including this one, appropriate force protection measures are adopted in line with up to date threat assessments.

UN peacekeeping operations are managed by the UN Department of Peace Operations with Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs) providing resources. There are currently some 130 Irish Peacekeepers deployed in the UNDOF mission. In addition, there are a number of DF Staff officers in UNDOF HQ, and a number of Defence Forces' unarmed observers in the region with UNTSO mission. The Irish contingent has sufficient personnel and equipment to adequately complete its mission.

Ireland will complete its’ withdrawal of its UNDOF Infantry Group deployment in April 2024. A replacement Troop Contributing Country has been selected to take over this role. Planning for the withdrawal of the Defence Forces' contingent is well advanced, involving the United Nations, the Force Headquarters, the current Irish contingent and the replacement Troop Contributing Country. Notwithstanding the withdrawal of the Infantry Group, the Defence Forces intends to continue to occupy a small number of staff officer posts at the UNDOF Mission HQ.

Defence Forces personnel deployed on United Nations endorsed peacekeeping missions in the years2019 to date are listed below.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The First Line Reserve (FLR) is intended to provide a pool of trained personnel who are available at short notice to supplement Permanent Defence Force (PDF) units in times of emergency. There is currently no set establishment for the FLR.

The existing regulatory framework provides for former members of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) to join the Army Reserve or Naval Service Reserve. This is subject to their meeting certain criteria. Direct entry to the FLR is currently limited to personnel who are departing the PDF and have undertaken, either voluntarily or on foot of a contractual commitment, to complete a period of service in the FLR.

The FLR is an area which will be examined in the context of work arising from the Commission on the Defence Forces (CoDF). As an interim measure, the Department are receiving business cases from the Military Authorities for applications for personnel wishing to join the FLR. The applications are assessed on a case by case basis having regard to the particular skills-sets of the member. Since 2020, the Department has received 9 applications in total of which 6 have been approved and a further 1 is currently under consideration.

The Military Authorities have advised that as of 31 December 2023, the strength of the First Line Reserve (FLR) is 282,comprising of 5 Officers, 46 Non Commissioned Officers (NCOs) and 231 Privates.

A full breakdown of FLR members, including those enlisted between the years 2013 – 2022, is as follows:

I would like to assure the Deputy that it is my intention, and that of the Chief of Staff, to ensure that the momentum behind the regeneration of the RDF will be maintained, thereby enabling us, going forward, to create a Reserve Defence Force that can seamlessly train, operate and deploy with the Permanent Defence Force, both nationally and internationally.