Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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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 28 March 2023. The Government agreed to progress the recommendations contained in the Report.

One of the IRG’s recommendations called for the establishment of a complaints process for civilian employees and civil servants who work with the Defence Forces, whereby they can have access to redress in respect of complaints concerning grievances or dignity at work issues, where the matters concerned relate to their interactions with members of the Defence Forces.

To this end, the IRG Report called for engagement with all stakeholders and the establishment of a Working Group to consider the issues. Last December, I appointed Mr Kevin Duffy, former chair or the Labour Court, as the independent Chair of the Working Group.

In line with the IRG recommendation, the Working Group which has now been established is comprised of representatives from the Defence Forces’ representative associations, associations and unions representing both civil service and state industrial grades, the HR management functions (both civil and military), and a representative of the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform. The following is a full list of membership.

The Working Group held its first meeting on Friday 01 March 2024 and its second meeting is planned for Friday 22 March 2024. There will be minutes produced of all meetings of the Group which will be circulated across all members but there are currently no plans to publish these minutes.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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It is currently foreseen that the total number of the proposed Defence Forces contribution to the German-led EU Battlegroup in 2024/2025 will be approximately 186 personnel. This will be comprised of a Group HQ consisting of 4 personnel, Mechanised Infantry Company (with a Company HQ, Infantry platoons and a weapons platoon consisting of 139 personnel) together with a National Support Element (consisting of 29 persons providing the necessary transport, medical, CIS, maintenance and ordnance support) and staff posts of 10 personnel to the Force Headquarters. There is also the potential for a further 4 personnel posts in a National Logistics Support Group to be based in Germany to aid the transport of DF equipment.

The Operational Headquarters (OHQ) will be located in Ulm, Germany, while the Force Headquarters (FHQ) is based in Strasbourg, France. Defence Forces personnel commenced their posting to the FHQ in January of this year.

Military management have advised that 81 EUBG appointments have been made to date and the expectation is that these posts will be fully filled in the coming months in advance of the first EUBG training exercise in the autumn.

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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144. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the progress made in respect of each of the twelve recommendations arising from the Working Group which reviewed the Defence Forces approach in relation to the use of malaria chemoprophylaxis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12939/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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A Working Group on the use of malaria chemoprophylaxis in the Defence Forces presented its report and recommendations to the Minister with Responsibility for Defence in October 2017. A further working group was established with a view to examining and implementing these recommendations.

In January 2020, the Minister with Responsibility for Defence was informed by the military authorities that the instructions issued by the Director of the Medical Branch of the Defence Forces, had been amended to provide for options on the specific malaria chemoprophylaxis to be used for deployments to sub-Saharan Africa.

As the Working Group report and its recommendations were prepared in the context of current litigation, they are legally privileged, and it would be inappropriate to comment further. The military authorities have advised that Defence Forces policy on the use of malaria chemoprophylaxis is fully aligned with UN and World Health Organisation guidelines.

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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145. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he is aware of any instances since 2020 whereby a person has sought to induce any other individual within the State to accept a commission or engagement with a military of another state in breach of the Defence Act 1954; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12940/24]