Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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93. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of Defence Forces members who were recruited despite with criminal convictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28227/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to state at the outset, in the strongest possible terms, that the Defence Forces is not a place where someone convicted of serious physical assaults, sexual offences or domestic or gender-based violence can join or continue to serve.

All applicants to join the Defence Forces are vetted by An Garda Síochána as part of the application process. Defence Forces Regulation A10, Section 12(5), provides that where an individual is convicted of a serious offence by a civil court, they are not deemed to be suitable for engagement.

On Wednesday evening last, I was informed of 68 Defence Forces personnel who have been convicted, or are currently before the civil courts, on a range of criminal offences including public order, drink driving, drugs offences, physical assault and sexual offences. I also received the report on the case of the Naval Service member convicted of assault causing harm.

I have asked officials to provide a concise report based on the information received and have sought legal advice from the Attorney General on how this information can be published in an appropriate and legally sound way.

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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94. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence to outline the training provided to members of the Defence Forces to respond to future environmental disasters such as flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28237/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Defence Forces is maintained to enable the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service to carry out their roles as assigned by Government. At national level, representation on the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning by both the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces, ensures the fullest coordination and cooperation in the event of an emergency.

In accordance with the Framework for Major Emergency Management, primary responsibility for responding to emergencies such as severe weather events rests with the three designated principal response agencies, namely, the relevant Local Authority, An Garda Síochána, and the Health Service Executive. The Defence Forces provides assistance within means to the appropriate Lead Department or Principal Response Agency in the event of a natural disaster or an emergency situation in its Aid to the Civil Authority (ATCA) and Aid to the Civil Power (ATCP) roles.

The primary function of training in the Defence Forces is to develop and maintain the capabilities necessary to enable them to fulfil the roles laid down by Government, including ATCA and ATCP. I am committed to ensuring that the personnel of the Defence Forces continue to be equipped and trained to best international standards. The Defence Forces seek to constantly benchmark training across all three arms of the organisation against best military and academic practice. The scheduling of training is underpinned by an analysis of training required to meet operational output and capability development requirements.

I can confirm that the Defence Forces keep their operational plans and response capabilities for dealing with a wide range of threats and emergencies under constant review.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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95. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the status of the colour blindness review within the Defence Forces. [28132/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Candidates applying for positions in the Defence Forces are required to meet specific criteria, which include medical standards for military service, as laid down in Defence Forces Regulations. These medical standards are based on the professional advice of the Medical Corps and having regard to the nature of the job, the duties of military service and the training exercises undertaken by members of the Defence Forces

The vision standards required for entry to the Defence Forces include that applicants colour vision must be normal. The Defence Forces colour vision standard is defined by the ability to pass the Ishihara Colour Plates. To be accepted as an eligible candidate for entry into the Defence Forces, the applicant must have a normal result in this test.

The conditions for entry to and service in the Permanent Defence Force (PDF), including the methodologies used for assessments, are subject to continuous review and modification having regard to the needs of the organisation and the development of best practices. For example, female specific milestones that have to be achieved in terms of fitness standards have been re-examined. There has also been a change from a 'Pass or Fail' system in terms of fitness test scoring to a 'traffic light' system for all applicants.

More specifically in relation to the issue of colour blindness, a Defence Forces Colour Vision Working Group, established to review the colour vision requirements for entry to the Defence Forces, has concluded its work. Its report and recommendations are currently under consideration by the military authorities.