I move amendment No. 10: In page 7, between lines 17 and 18, to insert the following: “Meetings of Board of Directors 8. The Minister shall advocate for the publication of a list of all persons attending meetings of the Board of Directors to be published and to be publicly available.”.

I move amendment No. 1: In page 3, line 23, after “force” to insert “which is part of an international organisation as defined under section 1 of the Act of 2006”.

Based on conversations I had with the Minister for Defence, Deputy Coveney, on Second and Committee Stages and his indication that he was interested in examining areas of the Bill, I had been hopeful that the Government would have proposed amendments in respect of this part of it. That would have been appropriate. The Bill has already been passed by the Dáil, so I do not know what opportunities remain in this regard. Perhaps changes may come in a subsequent Bill. Concerns have been flagged. One of the key aspects i…

I regret that the Government has not clarified this matter. As Members will be aware, my amendments explicitly excluded the humanitarian piece on Committee Stage but there are lots of other things such as monitoring, observation and recognisance. There are a number of different activities listed in section 3. Most of them are not direct military activities but it does matter and makes a difference for whom one does them. I agree that we are in an evolving situation internationally. In fact, we are in a devolving si…

I believe that amendments Nos. 3 to 5, inclusive, are related and that amendment No. 2 is a separate matter.

The Acting Chairperson has asked if we agree to them being grouped. I am saying that I would like amendment No. 2 to be discussed separately and to discuss amendments Nos. 3 to 5 together.

I want to discuss amendment No. 2 separately and I am happy to group the other amendments, if that is agreeable to the House.

I move amendment No. 2: In page 12, between lines 22 and 23, to insert the following: “Amendment of section 1 of Act of 2006 17. Section 1 of the Act of 2006 is amended in paragraph (d) of the definition of “international organisation” by the insertion of “and is currently working” after “or has participated”.”.

The reason I move it is that it is particularly important and it is one where we would have a heightened concern following the debate on Second Stage. Amendments Nos. 3 to 5, inclusive, relate to changes to section 3 of the Act whereas amendment No. 2 is really about section 1 of the 2006 Act. It specifically relates to that definition of "international organisation". This is one of the reasons I did not press my amendment No. 1. There are concerns around the way "international organisation" is defined in the Defen…

With due respect to the Minister of State, what he has said is not accurate. The amendment would not prevent postings in the EU because the EU is covered under paragraph (c) of the existing definition, which refers to "the European Union or any institution or body of the European Union". It would not prevent postings to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe either because it is covered under paragraph (b). It would only place a condition on paragraph (d) which refers to any regional arrangement o…

I move amendment No. 3: In page 12, after line 36, to insert the following: “Amendment of section 3 of Act of 2006 18. Section 3 of the Act of 2006 is amended by the insertion of the following subsection after subsection (2): “(3) Where a seconding under subsection (1)(a) is— (a) for a contingent, rather than an individual member, of the Permanent Defence Force, (b) for an international organisation not operating under a United Nations mandate, and (c) or a purpose not listed under subsection (1)(b) to (h), the Min…

Amendments Nos. 3 to 5, inclusive, all relate to section 3 of the Defence (Amendment) Act 2006 and propose a new section 3(3) to introduce a little clarity. Again, I have adapted all of my amendments to reflect the discussion I had with the Minister. I greatly respect the Minister and the very strong points he made on Committee Stage. That is why I have adapted these amendments to reflect that discussion. It is also why I am disappointed that the Minister and the Department have not brought forward their own amendm…

I will be brief because I am aware there are more amendments to get to. My amendments did not relate to individual members. My proposed subsection (3)(a) explicitly states, "for a contingent, rather than an individual member, of the Permanent Defence Force". It was explicitly about contingents, not individual members. It is unfortunate that the response still reflects the same argument made on Committee Stage when, in fact, the amendment is trying to address something quite different. It is good that there is a dis…

I move amendment No. 4: In page 12, after line 36, to insert the following: "Amendment of section 3 of Act of 2006 18. Section 3 of the Act of 2006 is amended by the insertion of the following subsection after subsection (2): "(3) A contingent or member of the Permanent Defence Force shall only be seconded to any regional arrangement or agency that participates, or has participated, in operations as part of an International United Nations Force, where that regional arrangement or agency is operating under a United …

I move amendment No. 5: In page 12, after line 36, to insert the following: "Amendment of section 3 of Act of 2006 18. Section 3 of the Act of 2006 is amended by the insertion of the following subsection after subsection (2): "(3) A contingent of the Permanent Defence Force shall only be seconded to any regional arrangement or agency that participates, or has participated, in operations as part of an International United Nations Force, where that regional arrangement or agency is operating under a United Nations ma…

I move amendment No. 6: In page 12, after line 36, to insert the following: "Report on operation of Act 18. The Minister, shall every 2 years after the passing of this Act, lay a report before both Houses of the Oireachtas outlining— (a) a summary of international missions in which Ireland is participating, (b) secondments of a contingent of the Permanent Defence Force under section 3(1)(a) of the Act of 2006, (c) delegations of operational control under section 17A of the Principal Act, and (d) where the Minister …

Amendment No. 6 relates to reporting in respect of operations. The Minister of State has indicated that a motion on secondments will be brought before the Dáil, which is appropriate, but the purpose of my amendment, which proposes that report be laid before the Houses, is to strengthen slightly the information we have and our examination of our participation. Every two years there would be a report to both Houses of the Oireachtas. I know that a motion is being brought to the Dáil but I am seeking to include the Se…

I know where we are. I have one minute or two minutes to go. I would hope to involve the Seanad directly because the Seanad has something to contribute. It would be useful if the Seanad were to have an annual discussion on these matters.

Perhaps that is something we could seek. The Seanad has an international interest and an international perspective. The Minister of State will be aware that many key debates on defence, ranging from Jadotville to other matters, have taken place in the Seanad. He will also be aware that the Seanad has a long record of human rights and humanitarian activity and motions. In fact, not just this Seanad but several Seanaid have had that focus. The annual discussion that takes place in the Dáil might be something we shoul…

I will speak to the amendment. I thank Senator Moynihan, as well as Senator Wall who will second the amendment on her behalf. I am going to speak for a couple of minutes to my amendment and I am very keen to speak to the motion as well, which I welcome as it is a very constructive and positive one from the Fine Gael Senators. I know many of them have individually championed public transport projects but to bring it together into a motion for the House is a very positive step. My amendment relates to the significant…