Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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223. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his Department’s plans to replace Ireland’s primary overseas deployment following the UNIFIL drawdown concluding in 2027, including candidate missions under UN, EU, or NATO-partnership frameworks; the projected deployment strength and cost profiles for 2026–2028; and the status of triple-lock reform proposals and timelines. [46514/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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On 28th August the UN Security Council renewed the UNIFIL mandate to the end of 2026 with a period of withdrawal to follow in 2027. Ireland and the Defence Forces have a longstanding and proud history of engagement with UNIFIL over many years and a commitment to the people of Lebanon.

I was able to see this at first hand when I visited the women and men of the Defence Forces serving with UNIFIL earlier this year. Ireland remains deeply committed to the aims of the Mission – to support the stability of Lebanon and the wider region. With the mandate renewal, we now have clarity on next steps as regards the Mission. It is essential that the international community maintains its support and commitment to the Government and people of Lebanon and to seize the opportunity to make progress on further stability in southern Lebanon.

Based on our long engagement in the region, I believe that, at this moment of fragile opportunity, the support of UNIFIL over the next 15 months will be essential to ensuing the success of the efforts of the Lebanese authorities, given the complexity and scale of the challenge facing them.

At this stage, it is much too early to provide any clarity to the Deputy on any future deployment plans, or indeed any projected deployment strength and cost profiles of the Defence Forces after completion of the UNIFIL Mission and the withdrawal of our personnel from Lebanon. Any such plans will be the focus of detailed policy consideration informed by military advice, as well as consultation across Government and with international partners.

In terms of the status of the triple lock legislation, the General Scheme was agreed by Cabinet earlier this year. The pre-legislative scrutiny process, which provided the Oireachtas Committee with the opportunity to examine the Heads and to consult relevant stakeholders, has recently been completed and I and my officials are examining the Committee’s Report on the matter. The Bill is currently being drafted and will be presented to Government for approval in the coming months, following which it will commence the various stages in the Oireachtas.

Paul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein)
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224. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of full time civilian groom staff working within the Defence Forces equitation school in the years of 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025, in tabular form. [46712/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Civilian Staff are employed by my Department to support the operational capability of the Defence Forces. There are no Civilian Grooms employed in the Equitation School, however, there are two Civilian General Operatives assigned to that location.