I agree with the Deputy that the changing nature of threats is clearly moving towards hybrid threats in a way that we have never dealt with before. I know from a previous role that the Garda has been investing significantly in its capabilities, capacity and workforce. That is why we are doing what we are doing here with the Defence Forces. There is an emergency group that I chair when it relates to specific defence matters. It is chaired by the Minister for the environment if there are natural disasters or other is…

The Commission on the Defence Forces report recommended significant changes for the Defence Forces and defence provision in Ireland. It covered high-level Defence Forces structures, defence capabilities, organisation, culture and human resources, the Reserve Defence Force and funding. One of the recommendations in the report was the creation of a new enlisted rank of lance corporal in the Army and Air Corps. The detailed implementation plan for the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces has identified that …

On the evaluation of the Commission on the Defence Forces recommendations, a number of factors have to be taken into consideration before a decision can be made. These include military management advice on the introduction of the rank, the potential benefits to individual personnel, the future role of personnel at this new rank, the impact on career progression for personnel, the impact of increasingly hierarchical structures, and the legislative and financial implications, which may not be to the fore. The report …

In recommending it, the commission was of the view that the creation of the rank of lance corporal would allow earlier rank progression for enlisted personnel with leadership potential and that it would offer unit commanders and senior NCOs the opportunity to assess the leadership ability of junior personnel before further advancement. The rank would also be useful for specialist trades, allowing privates to advance and carry out supervisory functions without the need to complete the full potential NCO course. Thes…

The Government decided in January 1941 that two medals should be struck in respect of service during the 1916-21 period, one for service during Easter week 1916 and the second for subsequent service up to the truce of 11 July 1921. In May 1942, the Government further decided that the second medal, the service medal, should be issued to two groups of people. The medal with bar was to be issued to persons in possession of a military service certificate entitling them to a pension under the Military Service Pensions A…

The Deputy outlined some of the details, but he will appreciate that without having all the information, it is hard to make a decision or to be able to respond effectively. While I said it is very difficult, it is certainly not impossible for medals to be awarded posthumously. In 2024, there were 15 posthumous medal applications and five medals were awarded. I do not know when Michael Morrissey applied initially or whether he was one of those 15. To date this year, 14 applications have been received and five medals…

I thank Deputy Ó Laoghaire. If he writes to me directly on that matter, I will respond to him. In response to Deputy O'Hara, I appreciate that this was highly specific prior to 1958 when many changes were made. Before 1958, applications were required to state the name of the unit, subunit, battalion company, former brigade, battalion and the company officers commanding. Given that this process was wound up in 1958 and that there are no surviving members alive to verify membership, and in light of the time that has …

I propose to take Questions No. 103 and 112 together. Deputy Malcolm Byrne, who submitted Question No. 112, is not here. As I outlined in my earlier response, the widely reported incident regarding drones operating in the vicinity of the Naval Service vessel has been discussed here at length this evening. Notwithstanding some suggestions, President Zelenskyy's flight was not compromised and the security operation led by An Garda Síochána was successfully deployed through multiple means, ultimately leading to a safe…

I have confidence in our ability to defend ourselves and those who travel to this country. However, we all appreciate that there is more we need to do. We are no different from any other country in that regard. There are, of course, standard operating procedures, SOPs, different rules of engagement and different laws depending on whether an incident occurs on sea, air or land. It is for those who are trained and who are operating on the ground to respond and make sure they comply with the different standard operati…

I commend the men and women of the Defence Forces on the fantastic work they do. In my time as Minister for Defence, my priority will be investing in them and their capabilities, including their ability to respond to emerging threats. It is also important to acknowledge the historic role our troops have played in peacekeeping. That will continue to be a focus and priority. Regarding the changing environment and changing threats, so much has moved to cyber threats. It is an issue that is raised regularly with all of…

This is something I raised directly with my Lebanese counterpart, Youssef Rajji, when I met with him yesterday prior to the EU-Lebanon Association Council meeting. I referred to the trauma that has been inflicted on Private Rooney's family, the need for answers and the need to ensure we have the full co-operation and support of the Lebanese Government regarding the appeal. We will continue to engage with the Lebanese authorities in that regard. It is absolutely essential that we have answers and an appropriate resp…

For those who make the ultimate sacrifice on the missions they are committed to, we must ensure their families are supported. My colleague has given a commitment that no stone will be left unturned in ensuring there is justice and that we have all the answers. I reaffirm that commitment. I will get back to the Deputy directly on the pension issue.

I apologise for delaying everybody. I thank Deputy Ó Fearghaíl for raising this important issue. I welcome the opportunity to update the House on the subject of Western Sahara. As we have heard, the House is aware that since 1975, Western Sahara has been the subject of a territorial dispute between Morocco and the Polisario Front. The United Nations recognises Western Sahara as a non-self-governing territory under international law. In 1991, MINURSO was established by Security Council Resolution 690, in accordance …

On the Deputy's initial point, interestingly, today in Cabinet, we brought forward a review of Global Ireland 2025, which has been our strategy for a number of years. While the objective within that was to enhance, grow and double our footprint, within that, if you dig down into it, it is about enhancing and strengthening relationships, linking in with our Irish diaspora and seeing how we can grow those connections and use our own experience, expertise and knowledge to support other countries. Morocco is no differe…

I move: That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade pursuant to Standing Orders 103 and 188.

At the outset I thank the Kenova team for its service, initially under the leadership of Jon Boutcher and, subsequently, Sir Iain Livingstone. People who have an opportunity, if they have not done so already, to read the report today will see it certainly makes for interesting reading. There are shocking claims of collusion. Paramilitary groups were regularly supplied with intelligence by members of security forces. However, it is also very critical of the Provisional IRA, referencing the wanton use of torture and …

The fact that the UK Government has moved with such speed is welcome and we will work with which to make sure it can be implemented.

I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." The Bill is being brought forward to amend the Arbitration Act 2010 in order to enable the ratification of international agreements concerned with the protection of investment, containing the European Union’s new investment dispute resolution regime. Before turning to the specific provisions in the Bill, it is important to outline the wider context of Ireland’s and the EU’s trade and investment policies. Trade and our trading relationships with partners around the …

I thank the Deputy. I look forward to working with him and our colleagues on many matters. At this critical juncture for Ukraine, after almost four years of brutal Russian aggression, I want to emphasise Ireland’s unequivocal support and solidarity with Ukraine. This something I have emphasised a number of times, most recently when I attended the meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council on 20 November where Ukraine’s foreign affairs minister, Andrii Sybiha, spoke about recent Russian attacks against Ukraine. A meetin…

I agree with the Deputy's initial comments. My own view, and I think that of many member states, as was reflected in our recent meeting, is that the actions of Russia indicate that it is not a country that is seeking peace. That is very clear, not just from the fact that innocent civilians have been killed in recent days and weeks but also the fact that there continue to be persistent hybrid threats to neighbouring member states. Our friends in Poland told us very clearly of the blowing up of a trainline and only f…