Defence | To ask the Minister for Defence the efforts that are currently being made to implement the recommendations of the recent review of the Defence Forces

To ask the Minister for Defence the efforts that are currently being made to implement the recommendations of the recent review of the Defence Forces; the way that this is likely to manifest itself in early initiatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

– Bernard J. Durkan T.D.

* To ask the Minister for Defence the extent to which the review of the Defence Forces is being implemented at present; the steps already taken and that remain to be carried out in this regard; if a degree of urgency will be applied to the work in hand; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

– Bernard J. Durkan T.D.

For ORAL answer on Thursday, 12 May, 2022.

REPLY The Commission on the Defence Forces was established on foot of a commitment in the Programme for Government and the Government decision in December 2020 which also agreed its terms of reference and membership.  The report was published on the 9th February 2022. 

The Commission undertook a significant body of work encompassing their wide-ranging terms of reference.  The report contains 69 main recommendations with a large number of sub recommendations.  The Commission’s terms of reference included the consideration of appropriate capabilities, structures and staffing for the Army, the Air Corps, the Naval Service.

The Commission’s report proposes significant changes for the Defence Forces, including to Defence Forces culture, high-level command and control structures, and for the level of Defence provision in Ireland.  Clearly, there are matters that will require careful consideration and in some critical aspects inter-departmental discussion. This includes the level of resourcing that may be allocated to Defence, legislative implications and the governance framework that will be required to underpin any changes the Government approve on foot of the Commission’s report. 

The report is being fully considered, in consultation with Ministerial colleagues and other stakeholders. The intent is that following relevant consideration, and before the summer recess, I will revert to Government with a proposed response to the Commission’s recommendations and a high-level action plan. 

Providing for the Defence of the State is a fundamental role of any Government and I firmly believe that this is an opportunity to have a mature debate around the type of defence provision that we require and I am very much open to such a discussion.