Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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149.To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will report on the implementation of the programme for Government commitments under the remit of his Department.[34004/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Programme for Government (PfG) contains an ambitious range of commitments concerning the Defence sector, a number of which have been completed since 2020, and work continues on those that are on-going. The following provides an update on each commitment which my Department are either the lead for, or have a contributory role.

Commission on the Defence Forces

One of the key commitments was to establish a Commission on the Defence Forces and their report was published on the 9th February 2022.

The Detailed Implementation Plan for the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces published in November 2023, is a further important step on this journey and 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.

Institute for Peace Support and Leadership Training

The PfG committed to the development of a new Institute for Peace Support and Leadership Training in the Curragh. This commitment is to be incorporated under the recommendation of the Commission on the Defence Forces on the establishment of a National Defence Academy.

Establishment of centres for retired members of the Defence Forces

My Department has entered into Service Level Agreements with ONE and IUNVA, under which an annual grant is paid to both organisations in order to assist with their administrative overheads. ONE is paid €130,000 and IUNVA is paid €30,000. These grants were increased substantially in 2022. As a further means of assistance, since 2021 my Department has also secured total funding of €900,000 under the Dormant Accounts Fund to assist ONE and IUNVA with specific special projects.

Additionally the Department continues to facilitate, where possible, the establishment of further ONE Veterans Support Centres and IUNVA Posts around the country.

Overseas Operations

This commitment provides that Government will ensure that all overseas operations will be conducted in line with our position of military neutrality and will be subject to a triple lock of UN, Government and Dáil Éireann approval. No new overseas operations are currently being considered.

Having regard to the outcome of the Consultative Forum on International Security in June 2023 and the current ineffectiveness of the UN’s Security Council, the Government on the 30^thApril 2024 approved the proposal to draft the General Scheme of a Bill to govern overseas deployments into the future. Once approved by Government, the Scheme will be referred for pre-legislative scrutiny consideration by Oireachtas Committee followed by further debate thereafter in the Dáil and Seanad. Legislative proposals will remain fully consistent with the principles of the UN Charter and international law.

Any modification to the Triple Lock will continue to require Government and Dáil approval for the dispatch of Defence Forces’ personnel to take part in peacekeeping and similar missions and will do nothing to change Ireland’s traditional position of military neutrality, which is characterised by Ireland's non-participation in any military alliance.

Participation in PESCO projects

Ireland’s participation in PESCO projects will be maintained on an ‘opt-in’ basis, with contributions being entirely voluntary. Any projects undertaken within PESCO will be approved by Cabinet and Dáil Éireann. The Government will not participate in projects that are incompatible with our policy of active military neutrality and non-membership of military alliances.

These commitments will be followed should proposals be made to participate in further PESCO projects.

In July 2025 Dáil approval was obtained to move to Participant Status on two PESCO projects – (1) Network of Logistics Hubs in Europe and Support to Operations; and (2) Critical Seabed Infrastructure Protection.

European Peace Facility

Within the context of the European Peace Facility, Ireland will not be part of decision-making or funding for lethal force weapons for non-peacekeeping purposes.

This commitment formed the basis of the Irish position as part of the negotiations on the European Peace Facility (EPF).

In the context of EU support to Ukraine via EPF assistance measures, Ireland constructively abstains on all lethal equipment elements of the support packages. Our full share of funding is directed exclusively toward non-lethal support.

Healthcare for enlisted personnel

In September 2023 I announced the rollout of private secondary medical care to the enlisted personnel of the Permanent Defence Force. The measure will allow all personnel to avail of referrals to private consultants, as deemed clinically necessary by an examining Medical Officer.

The following PFG commitments fall within the remit of other Departments but my Department has a contributory role.

Permanent Pay Review Body

There have been discussions, at official level, between the Departments of Defence and Public Expenditure NDP Delivery & Reform, on the matter of a permanent pay review body being established, to reflect the unique nature of military service in the context of the public service.

Discussion also continues between the Departments on the related Commission on the Defence Forces recommendation on the introduction of a mechanism for ongoing review of specialist pay rates and allowances, to groups and categories of military personnel, and to make recommendations within the scope of public pay policy parameters, where adjustments are required.

Implementation of the National Cyber Security Strategy

There continues to be active involvement by Department Officials on the Inter-Departmental Committee overseeing implementation of the National Cyber Security Strategy, including participation in its mid-term review as well as the National Cyber Risk Assessment and the National Cyber Emergency Plan. A member of the Defence Forces is on secondment to the National Cyber Security Centre in the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications and is based in the Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence in Tallinn, Estonia.

Organisation of Working Time Act

In terms of the PFG commitment to amend the Organisation of Working Time Act, bringing the Defence Forces within the scope of its provisions, a final management position was approved by me, as Tánaiste and Minister for Defence, in February 2024 on the removal of the blanket exemption for the Defence Forces, from the provisions of the Organisation of Working time Act. Formal engagement has commenced with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, who will lead on the development of the appropriate legislative mechanism.

I am satisfied that significant progress has been made in implementing the Government’s ambitious programme for Defence and I look forward to ongoing delivery of key commitments.