Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

148.To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence for an update on the investigations into the death of a soldier (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32362/24]

Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

149.To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the engagement his Department has had with the UN authorities in relation to the death of a soldier (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32364/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 148 and 149 together.

Since the events of 14th December 2022, in which Private Seán Rooney was killed and a number of his colleagues from the 121st Battalion were injured, I have consistently expressed both my and the Government's determination that all of the facts and circumstances of the incident are fully established and that no stone is left unturned to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.

Immediately following Private Rooney’s killing, the United Nations initiated their own preliminary investigation. Following representations I made personally to the Secretary General of the United Nations, H.E. António Guterres, including when I met him in New York on 16 March 2023, I was able to ensure that contents of the UN’s interim report were made available to Private Rooney’s family.

The United Nations have since concluded their Board of Inquiry (BOI) report. While the final report is an internal document of the United Nations, it has been provided to Ireland for official use only. The United Nations have insisted that it may not be shared with third parties or made public in any form, either in whole or in part, and that the final report of the BOI will not be published.

Separately, an initial indictment hearing of persons charged in connection with the incident took place on 14 July 2023, with further hearings taking place on 30 August 2023, 15 December 2023 and most recently on 07 June 2024. The Irish Government was represented in court at all these hearings by its Beirut-based lawyer and the Irish Ambassador.

A central focus of my most recent visit to Lebanon (on 18-20 May last) was my meeting with the Lebanese Minister for Foreign Affairs and the legal representative of the Lebanese Minister for Defence. I left the Lebanese Minister and officials in no doubt with regard to the absolute determination of the Irish Government in ensuring that those responsible for Private Rooney’s death are brought to justice and that lives of Irish peacekeepers must be valued. I also emphasised the need to speed up the legal proceedings and the additional distress that the lack of progress is causing Private Rooney's family.

I was very disappointed to learn at the most recent hearing on 7th June, that, once again, none of those indicted for the killing of Private Seán Rooney appeared in court at the hearing. The next hearing in the case is scheduled for 12th February 2025.

Following the hearing, I have again stressed my unhappiness and deep concern with the progress of the Trial to date and have made that very clear directly to both Lebanese authorities and to the UN. I have reminded them that accountability is at the heart of shared peacekeeping efforts and this core UN principle is particularly relevant in cases of crimes against peacekeepers.

I will continue to make strong representations in this matter with the Lebanese authorities and with the United Nations. Private Rooney’s family has been, and will continue to be, kept informed of developments as they happen.

Separately, I am advised that the investigation by An Garda Síochána for the purposes of preparing a report for the Coroner is complete and that an inquest by the Dublin Coroner's court into the death of Private Rooney is currently scheduled to commence this week (23 July). The Defence Forces have supported this investigation.

Finally, I wish to again assure the Deputy that my Department, the Embassy in Cairo, the Consulate in Beirut along with Ireland's Permanent mission in New York, will continue to monitor developments and to push for progress in this case.

Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

150.To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence for an update on the plans for the improvement of the pay and conditions in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32365/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Over the last number of years members of the Defence Forces have benefitted from a range of pay increases associated with national pay agreements. In addition to these pay increases, members of the Defence Forces have further benefitted from specific recommendations arising from the Report of Commission on the Defence Forces (CoDF), which was established by Government in December 2020.

It is worth noting, in this regard, that this Report observed that much of the commentary surrounding issues of pay in the Defence Forces does not seem to fully reflect the totality of the remuneration package and believes that this needs to be better communicated.

The Government has progressed a number of key measures arising from the Commission on the Defence Forces Report to address pay and recruitment issues in the Defence Forces. These include:

• Removal of the requirement for a Private 3 Star/Able Seaman to ‘mark time’ for the first three years at that rank (as detailed above in terms starting pay rates);
• Payment of the full rate of Military Service Allowance (MSA) applicable to the rank of all Private 3 Star/Able Seaman personnel.

• €39,714 in year 1
• €41,125 in year 2, and
• €42,425 in year 3

Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

151.To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if, regarding Level of Ambition (LOA), he will provide an update on the resourcing and recruitment needed to achieve LOA2; if he will provide a timeline for this in the form of year-on-year targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32366/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy is aware, in July 2022, Government approved the move to ‘Level of Ambition 2’ (LOA2), as set out in the capability framework devised by the Commission on the Defence Forces. This provides for a rise in the Defence budget to €1.5 billion, in 2022 prices, by 2028, as part of annual Estimates processes. One of the recommendations from the report, was that Government approve a move, over a six-year period, to a level of Permanent Defence Force capability equivalent to LOA2. This will require an additional 2,000 personnel by 2028, including a civilian component, beyond the 9,500 establishment figure that was in place at the time of the Commission’s report.

This level of funding increase will allow for the required substantial transformation and investment in recruitment and equipment that were identified by the Commission. It encompasses both current and capital investment, and is supported by a comprehensive programme of work, currently underway throughout the Department and the Defence Forces, as outlined and prioritised in the Strategic Framework and the Detailed Implementation Plan for the Commission Report.

While induction numbers fluctuate from year to year, Budget 2024 allocated €1.23 billion for the Defence Sector, which included a provision for the recruitment and training of a net additional 400 personnel in 2024. I have fully acknowledged the current staffing challenges in the Defence Forces, and work is ongoing to counter these. A range of recruitment measures, along with financial and non-financial retention incentives which include significant progress on pay and allowances, have been implemented to address such challenges.

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

152.To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will provide an update on the future use of all buildings at Columb Barracks, Mullingar; and if he will prioritise the redevelopment of existing buildings in the barracks. [32403/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy is aware from my previous replies on this matter, the Government has decided that the site at Columb Barracks, Mullingar will transfer to the LDA. My Department has completed all the pre-contract paperwork to facilitate the transfer of the site as soon as the LDA is ready to accept the site.

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

153.To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will provide an update on deliberations into the Army HQ; and if Custume Barracks, Athlone is under strong consideration. [32404/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As Minister for Defence, I am deeply committed to the transformation of the Defence Forces into a modern fit for purpose organisation to defend the State and meet the challenges of today and the future.

The Commission on the Defence Forces was established on foot of a commitment in the Programme for Government, and its report was published on the 9th of February 2022. The Commission undertook a significant body of work, encompassing wide-ranging terms of reference. It recommended significant changes for the Defence Forces and Defence provision in Ireland. It covers high level Defence Forces structures, defence capabilities, organisation, culture and human resources, the Reserve Defence Force and funding.

Much progress has been achieved since the Commission's report was published, with 21 recommendations completed and work ongoing across many others.

The Detailed Implementation Plan for the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces published in November 2023 builds on the publication of the Commission Report itself in February 2022, the High Level Action Plan in July 2022 and the Early Actions Update published in March 2023. This plan sets out an ambitious programme of work to move to 'Level of Ambition 2' (LOA 2) by 2028 and the significant and fundamental change for the Defence Forces that will be delivered across the Commission's recommendations approved by Government.

There are a number of Government approved, Commission recommendations contained in the report which may impact on the structure of the Defence Forces including that the structure of the Army be reviewed, and in that context, the disposition of Units across the Defence Forces may be considered.

The recommendation that the structure of the Army be reviewed was identified as an Early Action in the High Level Action Plan. However, no decisions on the future disposition or locations of Defence Forces formations, installations and personnel have been made at this time. In keeping with the recommendations of the Commission on the Defence Forces, military authorities have established an office of Army Force Design which will undertake the significant work required to give effect to this recommendation.

Transformation efforts of the magnitude recommended by the Commission take time, and can only be successful if they are built on solid foundations. I have confidence that the structures that have been put in place, coupled with progress to date, will ensure the successful delivery of the transformation effort.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

154.To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the recruitment plans for the Defence Forces for the remainder of 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32661/24]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

155.To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number enlisted in the Permanent Defence Forces at present; the proposals for recruitment in 2024 and 2025; the projected enlistment by mid-2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32662/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 154 and 155 together.

As of 30 June 2024, the strength of the Permanent Defence Force stood at 7,399 personnel and 213 personnel had been inducted.

Induction numbers fluctuate from year to year. The military authorities initially projected an induction figure of 540 for 2024. I believe that the Defence Forces' recruitment target needs to be more ambitious. On that basis, I instructed that this number be substantially increased, both for enlisted personnel and Cadets. This will be facilitated by the allocation of €1.23 billion for the Defence Sector in Budget 2024, which includes a provision for the recruitment and training of a net additional 400 personnel.

Whilst staffing challenges have been acknowledged, a range of recruitment and retention measures have been introduced to address these and make the Defence Forces an attractive option as a career choice.

Ongoing recruitment of General Service Recruits and Direct Entry specialists continues in 2024, in addition to the recruitment of cadets. The scope of such recruitment was expanded in 2024 with 2 new competitions, for Air Corps Air Traffic Controller cadetship and Direct Entry Air Corps Aeronautical Engineers, being introduced.

It should be noted that interest in a career in the Defence Forces remains strong with 9,479 applications received in 2023 and 7,469 received in 2024 as at 30 June.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

156.To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the progress to date in implementing the report of the Commission of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32663/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As Minister, I am deeply committed to the transformation of the Defence Forces into a modern fit for purpose organisation to defend the State and meet the challenges of today and the future.

The Commission on the Defence Forces was established on foot of a commitment in the Programme for Government, and its report was published on the 9th of February 2022. There were 69 main recommendations and with sub recommendations there were 130 recommendations in total. The Commission undertook a significant body of work, encompassing wide-ranging terms of reference. It recommended significant changes for the Defence Forces and Defence provision in Ireland. It covered high-level Defence Forces structures, defence capabilities, organisation, culture and human resources, the Reserve Defence Force and funding.

Given the significant recommendations contained in the Report, detailed consideration of these recommendations was undertaken over a period of 5 months by the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces. Following this engagement, a High Level Action Plan (HLAP) and a Memo for Government were brought to Government and approved on July 12th 2022. This involved the approval of a move to ‘Level of Ambition 2’ (LOA2), as set out in the capability framework devised by the Commission on the Defence Forces. The move to LOA2 is due to be complete by 2028. This will result in the Defence budget rising from €1.1 billion to €1.5 billion, in 2022 prices, by 2028, the largest increase in Defence funding in the history of the State. This will allow for the required substantial transformation and investment in recruitment and equipment that were identified by the Commission.

The Detailed Implementation Plan for the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces, was published on the 21st of November last. This plan sets out an ambitious programme of work to move to ‘Level of Ambition 2’ (LOA 2) by 2028 and the significant and fundamental change for the Defence Forces that will be delivered across the Commission’s recommendations which span:

• Strategic HR and Cultural Change;
• New Command and Control and Joint Structures to be established;
• Services to be reformed and restructured;
• Reserve Defence Force to be revitalised; and
• Joint Capability Development to be implemented

• where self-worth is actively promoted;
• where mutual respect becomes a dominant feature;
• where all members are treated with dignity;
• in an organisation that continuously evolves to deliver positive change.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

157.To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the additional accommodation provision that will be made for increased enlistment in the Permanent Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32664/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy will be aware the provision of housing is a matter in the first instance for my colleague the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage and my Department assists in any way it can in support of such applications for housing assistance, when requested to do so.

The Deputy may also be aware that it is a long-standing policy that long term residential accommodation is no longer provided to Defence Force personnel. The Defence Forces currently provide accommodation for serving personnel, where this accommodation is required for training and operational duties. Currently there are over €153m worth of IDP projects underway at various stages of development, with approximately €60 million related to accommodation projects, as follows:

• Upgrade of Former USAC Building, Renmore (under construction)
• Refurbishment of Block 4 Haulbowline (under construction)
• Refurbishment of Block 1, Collins Barracks
• Refurbishment of Blocks A, B & D, Stephens Barracks
• Refurbishment of Old Communications Building, Haulbowline
• Refurbishment of Cadet Mess Building Haulbowline
• Cathal Brugha Barracks, Refurbishment of C House
• Gormanston Camp - New Accommodation Block
• DFTC, Provision of New Student Accommodation
• DFTC, Refurbishment of Ceannt Block 1