Parliamentary questions

Defence Forces

Matt Carthy

1. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence where he intends to deploy Irish troops in the event that he is successful in progressing legislation that would remove the triple lock neutrality protection, considering the Government has withdrawn from the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force, UNDOF, peacekeeping mission due to capacity constraints. [22123/24]

Defence Forces

Cathal Berry

2. Deputy Cathal Berry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to outline the additional allowances payable to Defence Forces Irish contingent personnel participating in the EU battle group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22068/24]

Naval Service

Matt Carthy

3. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the establishment figure of the Naval Service; the strength as of 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023; the current strength of the service; the number of personnel required under level of ambition 2; and the current number of ships that can simultaneously be put to sea. [22124/24]

Tribunals of Inquiry

Catherine Connolly

4. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the timeline for when the tribunal of inquiry to examine the effectiveness of the complaints process in the Defence Forces will be fully up and running; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22038/24]

Defence Forces

Brendan Griffin

5. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will further review the pandemic recognition payment for Defence Forces personnel who worked in test centres to make sure all deserving individuals received the payment, given that some did not; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22112/24]

Defence Forces

Robert Troy

6. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence when a decision will be taken on the location of the new Army headquarters; if Athlone will be considered given its central location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22145/24]

Defence Forces

Brendan Howlin

7. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will set out his proposals to alter the current triple lock mechanism governing the deployment of Irish Defence Forces overseas; when he proposes to introduce amending legislation on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21844/24]

Defence Forces

Bernard Durkan

8. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the degree to which the strength of the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps continues to be enhanced, with particular reference to their ability to respond to emergencies, if and when they arise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22092/24]

Defence Forces

Brendan Smith

9. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if further consideration will be given to the re-opening of Dún Uí Néill, Cavan, as a forward operating base as that region has a long land border with a neighbouring jurisdiction (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22083/24]

Defence Forces

Gino Kenny

10. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence what type of operations Irish military forces might engage in that are not currently allowed under the UN Charter if the triple lock is removed ; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20888/24]

Defence Forces

James Lawless

11. Deputy James Lawless asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence for an update on the implementation of the strategic framework for the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21827/24]

Defence Forces

Brendan Howlin

12. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of personnel who have joined each branch of the Defence Forces in each of the past two years and in the first quarter of 2024; the number who have retired or left each service branch over the same period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21846/24]

Defence Forces

Pádraig O'Sullivan

13. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of applications to join that the Defence Forces have received since the start of 2023; how many were interviewed; how many were successful; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22097/24]

Naval Service

Seán Haughey

14. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the action he is taking to enhance the Naval Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22037/24]

Departmental Policies

Catherine Connolly

15. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence his plans for a public consultation on his proposal to dismantle the triple lock; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22040/24]

Defence Forces

Gino Kenny

16. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will retain the triple lock per the commitment in the programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20885/24]

Defence Forces

Alan Farrell

17. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to detail the level and condition of communications systems within the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21758/24]

National Security

Cathal Berry

18. Deputy Cathal Berry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to outline Ireland's air defence capability; if he has any plans to upgrade it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22158/24]

Departmental Projects

Brendan Howlin

19. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will set out the role and function of the new civil-military branch established within his Department; the structure and management of this branch; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21845/24]

Departmental Policies

Catherine Connolly

20. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the analysis, including any reports or supporting documentation, carried out by his Department leading to the decision to legislate for the dismantling of the triple lock; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22004/24]

Tribunals of Inquiry

Catherine Connolly

21. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 6 of 21 March 2024, the status of the tribunal of inquiry to examine the effectiveness of the complaints process in the Defence Forces; the details of how people can make submissions to the tribunal; what legal supports will be available to people who make submissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22003/24]

Defence Forces

Jim O'Callaghan

22. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence for an update on the training that the Defence Forces have provided to Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22032/24]

Capital Expenditure Programme

Jim O'Callaghan

23. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will report on the levels of capital funding for defence planned over the next two years. [22033/24]

Legislative Measures

Matt Carthy

24. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the further consultation he intends to carry out regarding the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2024. [22043/24]

Defence Forces

Ruairí Ó Murchú

25. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will provide a breakdown of the current number of personnel in all branches of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22141/24]

Defence Forces

David Stanton

26. Deputy David Stanton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will provide an update on recent recruitment for the Reserve Defence Force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21967/24]

National Security

Bríd Smith

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]

Naval Service

Alan Farrell

28. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to provide an update on his Department’s efforts to increase the sonar capability of the Naval Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21757/24]

Defence Forces

Bríd Smith

29. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he has received recent official requests from the European Commission to strengthen the Irish Defence Forces; if so, the reasons for doing so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21890/24]

Departmental Policies

Réada Cronin

30. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if, in the interest of transparency, he will refer any desired or proposed changes to the triple lock to the people in a referendum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22149/24]

Defence Forces

Réada Cronin

31. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if his Department will increase financial support to the charities supporting veterans and former members of the Defence Forces; if the State, through the forces themselves, will develop its own outreach, care and liaison services for former members who have served the State proudly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22150/24]

Defence Forces

Pauline Tully

32. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the progress to date in ensuring the provisions of the working time directive are applied, where appropriate, to members of the Defence Forces; if he will detail those activities that are deemed outside the scope of the directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22127/24]

Naval Service

David Stanton

33. Deputy David Stanton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will provide an update on recent recruitment to the Naval Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21968/24]

Defence Forces

Bríd Smith

34. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the specific issues he has with the triple lock system that need to be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21888/24]

Defence Forces

Bernard Durkan

35. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the extent to which issues within the Defence Forces have been resolved as per recommendations in the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22091/24]

Departmental Strategies

Seán Haughey

36. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will report on the Be Summer-Ready 2024 public safety information campaign he recently launched; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22036/24]

Defence Forces

Cathal Berry

37. Deputy Cathal Berry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to outline the Defence Forces' anti-drone technology capability; if he has any plans to upgrade it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22159/24]

Defence Forces

Matt Carthy

38. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the progress he has made on ending the blanket exclusion of members of the Defence Forces from the protections of the working time directive. [22046/24]

Defence Forces

Ruairí Ó Murchú

39. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the arrangements in place when retired Defence Forces' personnel who are fully trained in paramedical and advanced paramedical skills while in the Defence Forces can easily move to work in the HSE or National Ambulance Service; if he is aware of any issues with the recognition of service carried out while they were serving members; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22142/24]

Defence Forces

Christopher O'Sullivan

40. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to report on any development in relation to works on the slipway at Lawrence Cove, Bere Island; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22108/24]

Defence Forces

Matt Carthy

41. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of volunteers secured to participate in an EU battle group. [22047/24]

Defence Forces

Pádraig O'Sullivan

42. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the educational supports provided to members of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22098/24]

Defence Forces

Matt Carthy

43. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the timeframe in which he intends to publish a draft scheme in relation to his proposals to remove the triple lock neutrality protection; and if he intends to conduct both a public consultation and pre-legislative scrutiny. [22044/24]

Emergency Planning

Christopher O'Sullivan

44. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will report on the results of the national risk assessment he published in March 2024; the measures being taken to reduce the risks identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22035/24]

Legislative Measures

James Lawless

45. Deputy James Lawless asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he is considering legislation to prevent former and serving soldiers performing private security work in countries subject to international sanctions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21826/24]

Defence Forces

Cathal Berry

46. Deputy Cathal Berry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence how he intends to increase the strength of the Reserve Defence Force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22156/24]

Defence Forces

Brendan Howlin

47. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of Irish Defence Forces personnel currently deployed on overseas missions; the location of each deployment; the further plans he has, if any, for future deployment overseas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21847/24]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Brendan Griffin

48. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if all test centre personnel should have received the pandemic recognition payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22113/24]

Defence Forces

Cathal Berry

49. Deputy Cathal Berry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to outline the Defence Forces' anti-submarine warfare capability; if he has any plans to upgrade it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22160/24]

Defence Forces

Brendan Smith

50. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if, in view of the lack of an Army barracks in the central Border area, further consideration will be given to the re-opening of Dún Uí Néill, Cavan, as an Army barracks, given the recommendation in the Commission on the Defence Forces that the structure of the Army be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22084/24]