I thank the Deputy for the question. There have been a number of calls, including from Sinn Féin, for a public plebiscite in relation to the Government's proposed changes to the triple lock. It is important to highlight that there is a lot of conflation as to what is being proposed and what will be done and is actually being suggested. This mechanism is not set out in our Constitution. What we are amending is not something that is set out in our Constitution, it is set down in national legislation, namely, the Defe…

Again, I keep hearing in the Chamber this evening that we are not investing in the Defence Forces and therefore this is somehow related to the triple lock. The triple lock is about how we send our Defence Force personnel. At the moment we have 436 troops, as of 31 January, on peacekeeping missions. That has nothing to do with how many members we have overall, which is over 7,000. I will be the first to say that we need to be more ambitious in increasing our numbers and investing in our capacity, increasing our spen…

Respectfully, if we cannot send troops to engage in peacekeeping missions then we are going to lose that level of respect that we have had for many years. Countries will look at us and ask how do we not have the ability to send our own troops where we want to send them. That is the situation we will find ourselves in. The world is changing. We need to update our laws. They are currently not fit for purpose when it comes to the deployment of troops. In terms of the safeguards and checks, the legislation will be very…

Last December, I was pleased to announce the record allocation of €1.7 billion in the NDP capital funding for defence from now until 2030. This represents an increase of €600 million or 55% on the previous baseline of €1.1 billion. For 2026, the defence capital allocation has increased by €66 million to €300 million. Obviously, we want every barracks and every area to be able to benefit from that spending. It is a clear demonstration of the Government's commitment to enhancing the capabilities, equipment and accomm…

I fully agree. If we want to not only attract people to the Defence Forces but to retain them, we need to make sure the environment that they are working and training in is fit for purpose and insofar as possible, that it is as modern as it can be. When you look at the next NDP and the capital plan for defence, we have €300 million being spent in 2026. In the next few years, it is rising to €360 million. When you break that down further and you look at how much we are investing in what we have just discussed, there…

I will try to touch on a number of issues raised. At present, our strength is 7,756 personnel. It is an increase of almost 200 on the previous year. While it is modest, we need to continue with that particular trajectory and I want to build on that progress achieved. I have set a target of 850 inductions for this year. It is important that when we are talking about investment, we are not only talking about investment in the capital side of things. There are other ways in which, through current spending, we are able…

I thank the Deputy. Increasing recruitment and retention of personnel in the Defence Forces is a priority for me as Minister and for everybody here who has spoken this evening. As Government, we are committed to putting the resources in place to achieve level of ambition 2, and a crucial element of this is personnel expansion. A range of measures have already been undertaken to tackle recruitment and retention challenges in recent years. As a result, we have seen that stabilisation I mentioned and that modest incre…

There are several things happening that we need to see continue to encourage more and enhance greater uptake when it comes to those who wish to join the Defence Forces. I have said the numbers wishing to join are pretty substantial, but it is about then translating them. My focus this year is making sure we have the accommodation we need for training and that we have enough personnel for those in our Defence Forces carrying out the training. There were changes made recently to provide allowances in that regard. It …

The Deputy has given me an opportunity to again acknowledge Fr. Paul Murphy and his four colleagues who came to his aid so bravely and unarmed when responding to what was a vicious and violent attack. Last week, I had the honour, with the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces,of presenting them with the distinguished service medals. This is something that is not given out to everybody. This recognised their bravery, but more broadly, the way in which members of our Defence Forces go about their work and put themselv…

The strategic framework, which I published on 10 February, highlights my Department's plans over the next 12 months to further improve working conditions within the Defence Forces. This is a commitment I will continue to champion, as will the Minister of State, Deputy Byrne, for defence and the Defence Forces. The key actions and outcomes to be delivered specifically include, first, career and talent processes and promotion systems. It is very important we see more of that and more opportunities for members. There …

I answered a question on this earlier, specifically around the committee, its recommendations and the working times. Where members work additional or irregular hours, they are compensated through allowances and structured systems of compensatory rest. This is an element that addresses the time issue. In addition, the pensionable military service allowance, which is designed to compensate for the special disadvantages associated with military life, including the long and unsociable hours, is paid to all ranks up to …

I want to acknowledge Private Seán Rooney and the ultimate sacrifice he paid in his duty and service in the Lebanon and, of course, those who were with him on the day and who also suffered after what happened in the attack. I am absolutely committed to following on from the commitment of my predecessors, and everyone in this Chamber, in ensuring that we uncover the truth and get justice for Private Rooney, in particular for his family. I had an opportunity recently to meet the foreign affairs minister from Lebanon …

It is very difficult for family members when this has been going on for longer than any of us would like. I would like to be able to give the Deputy a fuller update on the floor this evening, but unfortunately there are a number of different processes under way at home as well as our engagement with the Lebanese forces and the Government there and with the UN, as the Deputy mentioned. Whenever an incident occurs, particularly one of this magnitude, it is essential that the UN engage with us so that we can work with…

I am happy to keep the Deputy updated on matters, first and foremost to keep the family updated and working closely with the Defence Forces. I am happy to update the Deputy on this and on any other matters relating to pensions.

Like the Deputy, I will not get into specific details. I do not think it would be appropriate. I want to ensure we have legislation that ensures every member of the Defence Forces and their families are treated equally when it comes to pensions, particularly where a tragic incident has occurred. It is something I am engaging on and open to engaging on but I will not get into the specifics.

I move: That Dáil Éireann approves the exercise by the State of the option or discretion to which Article 20 of the Treaty on European Union relating to enhanced co-operation applies to establish enhanced co-operation as described in the draft Council Decision authorising enhanced co-operation on the establishment of a Loan for Ukraine, a copy of which was laid before Dáil Éireann on 21st January, 2026. This motions seeks approval from the Dáil for Ireland to exercise the option, in accordance with Article 29.4.7° …

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 i…

I welcome this opportunity to provide Members with an update on recent developments in international relations at what is an extremely important time. We face an unprecedented and unpredictable geopolitical context. The rules-based order on which our security and our prosperity, and that of our EU partners, depends is increasingly under challenge. Russia's brutal war in Ukraine, in particular, continues to transform the security environment in Europe. The key values and principles that underpin our foreign policy w…

I propose to take Questions Nos. 85, 86 and 89 together. I thank the Deputies for their questions. As this is my first parliamentary question session as Minister for Defence, I look forward to working with them constructively at what we know is an important time in the world, particularly for Ireland's position on a range of defence matters. As Minister, I am committed to the ongoing transformation and modernisation of Óglaigh na hÉireann across land, air, sea and cyber domains. It is essential that we continuously…

I am responding to different questions. First, we all know there were drones. For anybody suggesting otherwise, we know that was the case. I repeat that at no stage did they compromise the security operation that was in place for President Zelenskyy's visit. I will say that we are taking this matter extremely seriously. That is why there is a review under way. That is why the Garda is conducting a review working with the Defence Forces. Of course, if lessons need to be learned about how different information was co…