Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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41. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence when a decision on a location for the Army Headquarters will be made; and if Athlone will be considered. [42006/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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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.

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.

Much progress has been achieved since the Commission's report was published, with over 30 recommendations completed and work ongoing across many others.

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.