Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 May 2024
149. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence his response to claims that former members of the Defence Forces, including from the elite Army Ranger wing, have provided training to a Libyan military group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21532/24]
View answerReports that former members of the Defence Forces may be involved in training members of the Libyan National Army are deeply shocking and cause reputational damage to Ireland and our Defence Forces. No Irish citizen should knowingly be involved in activities that breach UN sanctions or EU restrictive measures, least of all former members of the Irish Defence Forces.
In response to these claims, I initiated three immediate actions
• I spoke with the Chief of Staff about these matters, which need to be examined further;
• I asked my officials to look at further legislation relating to the activities of both serving and former members of the Defence Forces in regions covered by UN or EU sanctions; and
• following reference of the claims by my Department to the Department of Enterprise, Trade & Employment, An Garda Síochána are now investigating the allegations in relation to possible breaches of trade sanctions.
Specifically, in relation to the question of further legislation, I have instructed my officials to prepare a policy position to encompass an immediate review of the current legislative provisions pertaining to parallel employment; permissions for annual and special leave outside the State; and proposals for making the regulatory underpinning, and subsequent sanctions for any such breaches, more robust. This reflects my view that the current legislative underpinning around external employment for members of the Defence Forces requires an immediate review.
The Chief of Staff has been asked to prepare Military Advice on the matter, which will, inter alia, identify any gaps from his perspective, as Chief of Staff, in the current regulatory provisions and the practical application thereof and any recommendations he might have to address any such gaps.
My officials are also examining the arrangements that are currently in place across the Public Service relating to parallel employment and related matters.
The Military Advice, coupled with the work my officials are undertaking, will form the basis of a policy proposal for consideration by me, along with an assessment of any regulatory underpinning required, to support the policy proposal.
I’ve asked for this body of work to be completed without delay.
Finally, I want to recall that, when the allegations that individuals had engaged in this training activity in Libya while still serving were uncovered by the Defence Forces, the Military Police opened an investigation. This investigation is being conducted in close coordination with An Garda Síochána.
