Defence Forces
Dail Éireann — 2026-02-17
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Helen McEntee (FG), Meath East

I am the first to say that we need to be more ambitious, but that is not to suggest that nothing has been done. In terms of human resources, recruitment and retention, we have increased the maximum ages for recruitment and retirement. We have extended the private secondary healthcare to all personnel. We have applied the working time directive across the Defence Forces, subject to certain exemptions. We have increases in the patrol duty allowances that are payable to Naval Service personnel at sea. We have extended the Naval Service tax credit. We have seen increases in pay over the years. As part of the strategic framework, we also have a clear focus on how we can support people in the Defence Forces to increase in number and be promoted throughout their careers, and on how we can do more for women in particular. There is a lot that has been done and, to use the phrase we all know, there is a lot more to do.
I have been very clear when it comes to our radar capabilities. We will have counter-drone technology by the Presidency. It is essential that we have that, and we will have it in place. When I announced the new capital plan in November, I was also very clear that we needed to bring forward our radar capacity. This is radar from land, sea and on our naval bases so that we have a complete picture of what is going on in our skies. That will be done by 2028 and that is only because we have seen the 55% increase in our overall capital budget.
I appreciate that we have to get those points, but we have a clear plan. We have timelines and know exactly who is carrying out these ambitious timelines as well. I am determined that we will be able to put these new resources and technology in place as soon as possible.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-02-17/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:38+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-02-17