Bríd Smith
Question:27. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if there are any immediate military threats to Irish security; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21889/24]
View answerThursday, 16 May 2024
Questions (27)
Written answers
I can confirm that the Defence Forces keep their operational plans and response capabilities for dealing with a wide range of threats under constant review. It is my priority as Minister for Defence to ensure that the operational capacity of the Defence Forces is maintained to the greatest extent possible to enable the Defence Forces to carry out their roles both at home and overseas.
There is an ongoing requirement to consider whether the capabilities we maintain are appropriate, having regard to the security environment, the roles that we wish the Defence Forces to undertake, and likely risks.
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 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. 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.
One of the Early Actions identified in the High-Level Action Plan was the commencement of a Strategic Defence Review as part of the regular defence review process set out in the White Paper 2015.
The first stage of this review has been the preparation of a revised security environment assessment (SEA) conducted by an interdepartmental and interagency working group and addresses the significant security environment changes since the White Paper Update in 2019. This assessment has informed the overall policy requirements, associated tasks, capability development and resourcing as part of the Strategic Defence Review.
The Department of Defence, together with the Department of Foreign Affairs, co-hosted a Consultative Forum on International Security in June 2023. The Forum built a deeper understanding of the threats faced by the State, and the links to, and between, our foreign, security and defence policy. It also provided an opportunity to examine the experiences and policy choices of other partners in responding to the new security environment in Europe.
As well as encompassing the Governments agreed recommendations from the Commission on the Defence Forces and the Independent Review Group, the Strategic Defence Review will consider the reflections of the Consultative Forum on International Security and the future role of the Defence Forces both nationally and internationally.
A final draft of the Strategic Defence review will be submitted to me in the coming weeks for my consideration and following this the final version will be brought to Cabinet.