Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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127. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will provide an update on defence-related engagements carried out by the Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence carried out since the start of 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23951/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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No formal functions of the Minister for Defence have been delegated to the Minister of State and full responsibility for Defence policies, the Department of Defence, and the Defence Forces remains with the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence. However the Minister of State assists and performs functions, including Oireachtas business, as assigned by me as Minister for Defence on my behalf. Responsibilities of the Minister of State include the following:

• Deputising for the Minister on Defence matters;
• Taking all or specific stages of Defence legislation through the Oireachtas;
• Taking Oral Parliamentary Questions;
• Taking Private Members Business (opening or closing statements) relevant to Defence areas of responsibility;
• Taking Dáil topical issues, Seanad Commencement matters relevant to Defence areas of responsibility; and
• Being a member of the Council of Defence pursuant to Section 11 of the Defence Act 1954.

No official Defence related engagements have been carried out by Minister Jennifer Carroll-MacNeill since appointment as Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence on 9 April, 2024.