Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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206. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the Statutory Instruments he envisages being brought forward and signed by his Department during the first six months of 2025; to highlight in particular those concerned with the transposition and or implementation of further implementation of EU law requirements; those Statutory Instruments concerned with commencement of existing legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10325/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The majority of the statutory instruments brought forward by my Department comprise regulations made pursuant to Ministerial powers set out in various sections of the Defence Act, 1954. These regulations are made on a regular basis to update existing regulations in order to give effect to policy changes.

In relation to the transposition and or further implementation of EU Directives, it is not envisaged that any statutory instruments will be brought forward during the first six months of 2025.

In relation to the commencement of enactments, work is ongoing on the preparation of the necessary regulations and administrative procedures to give effect to the Defence Forces (Evidence) Act 2022. As soon as these regulations and procedures have been finalised, my Department will progress the preparation of a commencement order, in conjunction with the Office of Parliamentary Counsel. The principal purpose of this Act, which mirrors closely the provisions of the Criminal Justice (Forensic Evidence and DNA Database System) Act, 2014, is to ensure that Military Police have access to DNA testing on a statutory basis (in line, where appropriate, with the powers of An Garda Síochána under the 2014 Act) in relation to the investigation of serious crimes involving military personnel.

Separately, work is underway within my Department on the preparation of regulations to enable the commencement of section 12 of the Defence (Amendment) Act 2024 which relates to random drug testing within the Defence Forces.