Defence Forces: Motion
Seanad Éireann — 2026-01-21
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Helen McEntee (FG), Meath East

I welcome our guests as well. I hope they have an enjoyable day.
I thank the Senators for tabling this motion. I am really pleased to have an opportunity to engage with Senators for the first time in taking on this role.
I look forward to working with many colleagues in relation to our Defence Forces in view of the significant change in geopolitical environment in which we find ourselves.
We are discussing this matter at a time of huge volatility and uncertainty regarding our security and the security environment in general that we are operating in, from Ukraine to Gaza and from the continent of Africa to things that are happening much closer to home. Right now, defence and security issues rightly command greater public attention than they did even two or three years ago. As a result, it is right that we are here discussing this matter today. We are not on our own in this regard. Where colleagues make reference to Ireland perhaps being a weak link or a weak chain, particularly in the context of the recent visit of President Zelenskyy, I remind them that the visit went off extremely well. When I sit at the table and talk to other defence colleagues across Europe, I hear from them about issues with drones, instances where they have had to close airspace and where bombs have exploded on railway lines. It is very clear to me that we are all living in this shared challenging environment and we need to make sure we are all focused on the one thing, which is supporting our members of the Defence Forces. I can assure Senators that this is my priority.
I acknowledge the work that has been done to date in respect of the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces. We need to be ambitious and work together to make sure that we can achieve the overall ambitious targets the report contains. As Minister, my priority is not just overseeing the implementation of the report but also ensuring that we support the men and women of Óglaigh na hÉireann to do what they do best, namely engaging in peacekeeping missions right across the world. The latter is something of which we have been so proud for many decades. My priority is also to support them in their work in protecting our citizens, our national security and our democracy, be that through legislative means, our overall investment by means of capital and current spending or through our partnerships with other countries. It is really important in the world in which we live that we are working and engaging not just with our nearest neighbours but also with our international partners. Given what is happening, that has never been more important. I look forward to working with Senators on all of these issues.
Regarding our legislative programme, the first legislation I intend to have before the Seanad in the coming weeks is the Defence (Amendment) Bill. The latter is aimed at changing the basis of how we deploy our Defence Forces personnel overseas, including changing the triple lock. For me and for many people here and other colleagues, it is simply not acceptable, particularly in light of recent global turmoil, that any one of five permanent members of the UN Security Council have an essential veto on Ireland participating in peacekeeping missions overseas. The Bill will address that. I have engaged on the pre-legislative scrutiny that has taken place with colleagues, and I look forward to working with Senators and engaging with them on the many important proposals they suggested at the committee.
As I have heard already from colleagues, one constant always emerges on any debate on defence and that is the deep respect, admiration and pride we all feel for the women and men of Óglaigh na hÉireann. They are, without question, the Defence Forces' greatest strength. The Government is committed to ensuring that the Defence Forces have the equipment, resources and capabilities required to fulfil the roles assigned to them. I, too, acknowledge the Members of this House and the Dáil who have served and who are serving members. At the heart of the Government's commitment is a clear focus on people. Our personnel are our greatest asset, and supporting them in their careers, their well-being and their development remains my central priority.
The motion before the House rightly acknowledges the substantial progress made in recent years. Meaningful improvements have been delivered in pay, medical care, retirement and in recruitment age and working conditions, including the commencement and the application of the working time directive across the Defence Forces in January 2025. There is real and tangible progress under way. Again, last year saw an increase of almost 200 personnel in strength. While I appreciate that is not the number we want to get to and is a modest step, it is to be welcomed nonetheless. It reflects a positive trajectory which we need to continue. The motion before the House also recognises the enormous strides that have been made in recent years, whether that is, as I have said, in relation to progress on pay, the extension of private medical care to all ranks, and the maximum retirement age and the recruitment age, or the commencement of the working time directive. That said, it should be acknowledged in the context of almost full employment in our economy, that these are challenges that are not just unique to the Defence Forces. They are challenges being faced by all armed forces right across Europe.
What is becoming increasingly clear is that the reforms that are being introduced and have taken time are making that difference, although I appreciate there is more to do. Last year, 16,510 applications from people seeking to join the Defence Forces were received. The next step is making sure we take progress those applications. The strategic workforce plan on which I am working with my Department and the Defence Forces will set out a very clear and evidence-based pathway to achieving that overall strength of 11,500 personnel aligned with our future capability needs. Just this week, I met with members of the Defence Forces and staff of my Department to discuss the work they are doing to set out the strategic workforce plan that needs to include members of the Defence Forces and an increased focus on civilianisation, an area in which there is so much work that can be done.
We will also make sure to continue to increase the number of Reserve members. I met with their representative association yesterday, and huge strides are in progress. To use the association's words, there is huge "untapped potential" that we can work with and that can support the overall work of our Defence Forces. Sustaining the progress made in 2025 is a priority and is essential, which is why the Defence Forces are targeting the recruitment of more than 850 personnel this year. It was just under 800 last year. We are increasing our target and will do everything do try to exceed that as well.
As today's motion recalls most of the positive measures introduced in recent years, I will not dwell on them. However, I would like to say a few words about some of the progress made on pay. Pay and conditions, while they are not everything - and from speaking to members, I understand that absolutely - they are an important part of ensuring the Defence Forces can recruit and retain the people they need. Good progress has been made in this area. While progress made in this regard stands to be further enhanced with the additional pay awards due later on in February under the terms of the current public sector pay agreement. I know there is much more we need to do and that is something we need to work across government in progressing.
As Senators will be aware, we recently launched the Defence Sectoral National Development Plan 2026-2030, which sets out a very clear and ambitious vision for the future of our Defence Forces, again aligning with the overall objectives of the Commission on the Defence Forces. I am absolutely committed to ensuring that there is continuing ongoing transformation of our Defence Forces. Capital funding of €1.7 billion has been allocated. This is an increase of €600 million, or a 55% increase, on the previous baseline figure of €1.1 billion. This is about modernising and transforming the capabilities of the Defence Forces across a number of different domains, and ensuring Ireland continues to meet its national and international security responsibilities.
I am particularly conscious of the fact that our EU Presidency will start later this year and of the need to ensure that everything that can be done is done as soon as possible to make sure we have the right structures and the infrastructure in place. Key elements include record multi-annual investment, rising from €300 million in 2026 to €360 million in 2029, with major capability upgrades across land, air, maritime and cyber domains. This will include full delivery of the military radar programme by 2028. This is something that I have asked be moved forward to make sure we have that capability in place and that we start that process this year in the context of our Presidency. This is an essential step in the Government's plan to enhance our national security and the need to continuously strengthen our defence capabilities.
The defence sectoral plan also provides for Air Corps modernisation and other key equipment investments, including procurement of subsea domain awareness capability for the Defence Forces. I recognise that training will be required in this regard. This is a key priority in order to ensure that when we have the requisite equipment in place, we will also have personnel capable of using it.
I am pleased to report that there has been a significant investment in defence infrastructure. At the end of 2025, over €270 million worth of capital projects were at various different stages of the procurement pipeline, from design, planning and construction to substantial completion. Notable projects for this year include: the military medical facility in Baldonnel, at a cost of €16.2 million; the block 1 accommodation complex in Collins Barracks, Cork, at a cost of €4.9 million; and the new dining hall in Aiken Barracks, Dundalk, at a cost of €5.5 million. The total allocation for infrastructure capital works this year stands at just under €70 million, with €13.5 million set aside for the Defence Forces in respect of the maintenance of existing infrastructure.
I recently visited Gormanston in my constituency to see how the various buildings are progressing. We need to ensure that we invest in the infrastructure in which the men and women are staying, sleeping, eating and going to the gym, because that is a sign that we recognise and fully support the work they do. In addition, a significant portion of funding through the NDP will be used to invest in new uniforms for the men and women of Óglaigh na hÉireann and in the new equipment they require.
In the context of our capital budget, this year a record allocation of €1.49 billion for the defence sector is being provided. Again, this is an increase of €145 million on 2025.
As Minister, I will do everything I can to continue to increase the current budget.
Turning to a number of points made specifically in the motion, I assure the House that I am committed to ensuring a fully functioning conciliation and arbitration system for the Defence Forces; one that operates effectively, transparently and with the confidence of all parties involved. The conciliation and arbitration, C and A, scheme for members of the PDF provides a formal mechanism for the military representative associations, RACO and PDFORRA. I will meet officials from both organisations tomorrow to engage on matters that come within the scope of the overall scheme. In the event of disagreements, one or other of the parties can seek adjudication or arbitration on the matter. It is important that we have this in place. I appreciate that we currently do not have the adjudicator in place for the Defences Forces and for the scheme, but I know there is a lot of work happening on both sides to make sure that it is in place as soon as possible. In relation to the arbitration board, I am pleased to say that yesterday the Government approved the appointment and reappointment of members to the arbitration board. The new term will run until 7 November 2026.
I will briefly touch on issues relating to pensions, including those affecting single scheme entrants since 2013. This is something that continues to be raised by the representative bodies, but, as all Members know, this is an issue that arises from public service-wide legislation and is something that will be discussed with other Departments and other sectors as well. I am conscious of this issue and that it is a concern. It is certainly something I will engage with the unions on.
In recognition of the need to retain experienced and skilled personnel and to enable personnel to extend their careers in the Defence Forces, the mandatory retirement age for members was extended to 62 years of age with effect from 19 August 2024. This was at the same time the mandatory retirement age for members of An Garda Síochána was also extended. That was something I worked closely on at the time. The move very much aims to address in part the provision of extended career opportunities for members, if they so wish. From my understanding of the figures and looking at them to date, we are starting to see that having a positive impact, but we hope to see greater impact in the time ahead.
A number of matters set out in the motion are currently being considered through the C and A process, which remains the most appropriate and effective in terms of their overall resolution.
I will very briefly comment on our chaplains as it is a matter that has come up and been raised with me a number of times. It is also something I will speak to the unions about. My officials are examining the status of the chaplains going forward and the potential legislative underpinning needed to provide for changes to status. This is something I am working with my officials on and will speak to the representative associations about tomorrow. I think it is accepted that the proposals will necessitate amendments to primary legislation and, if that is the case, I am happy to bring that forward as well.
Another issue that has come to the fore in recent years is the overall environment for members of the Defence Forces - not just female members, but all members. I was pleased to last week publish the first Value Our People survey. This was undertaken over the past year by the Defence Forces. Over 60% of members engaged in the process which is the highest feedback they have received. This touched on quite a number of different issues. It was not just pay. It looked at the conditions in which members work, the equipment they have, as well as looking at the overall work environment. It touched on some really difficult issues around sexual harassment and other issues that have really come to the fore in recent years. I am pleased to have engaged with not just the Defence Forces but also the body that has been put in place and is chaired by Patricia King. It has done a huge amount of work both before and since the survey was undertaken. It continues to respond to the many concerns raised, not just around sexual harassment or issues that came to the fore through the Women of Honour group, but also the many other issues raised at all levels through the Naval Service, Air Corps and the Permanent Defence Force. It is important we keep that focus and continue working with the Defence Forces on these issues to bring about the types of organisational changes that perhaps had not come to the fore in recent times.
At the outset, I mentioned one of the very significant changes that have been made, which is the introduction of the Organisation of Working Time Act in January 2025. This work, which is known as strand 3, is under way. I appreciate it is a complex piece of work that impacts across a range of areas, but I look forward to it being brought to a conclusion very soon.
There is so much that we could discuss and so much happening, but, for me, it is very much about us being on the same page. I want to work with the Members to ensure our Defence Forces, the men and women who literally keep us and so many others safe, as they have done for many years right across the globe, have the support they need and know they have our support and that, as the only Defence Forces, in this country their members have the equipment, technology, infrastructure and capabilities they need to be able to do their jobs as effectively as possible in the extremely challenging and worrying environment we are living in at the moment. I look forward to working with colleagues on this issue in the time ahead.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2026-01-21/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:31+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-01-21