I just gave the figures earlier. Right now we are hovering at about 8,000. It will take some time, certainly, within the next two to three years, to get to the figure of 9,500, maybe sooner. Yesterday there was a significant briefing on the investment we are going to put into Gormanston as a centre of excellence for induction training. That should have happened before now. It is a significant investment in itself. The Naval Service currently has a fleet of six vessels. The LÉ Niamh is in the process of a mid-life r…

I have given the details on what is now going to happen with the LÉ Róisín and the LÉ Niamh . Two inshore patrol vessels have been purchased to replace the LÉ Orla and the LÉ Ciara . Again, there are issues around trying to expand the catchment area in terms of the recruitment pool into the Naval Service. There are some thoughts on that which we discussed yesterday regarding recruiting more from different parts of the country where there would not have been a tradition of such recruitment heretofore.

The Commission on the Defence Forces was established on foot of a commitment in the programme for Government, and its report was published on 9 February 2022. The commission has undertaken a significant body of work, encompassing wide-ranging terms of reference. It recommends significant changes for the Defence Forces and defence provision in Ireland. It covers high-level Defence Forces structures, defence capabilities, organisation, culture and human resources, the Reserve Defence Force and funding. Given the sign…

The issue is finding solutions. No one is in any doubt about the challenges facing the Defence Forces, the loss of personnel or the fact that we are not recruiting sufficient personnel to offset the numbers who are leaving. That involves both a recruitment and a retention strategy. In the context of the high-level action group it involves implementation of the 38 early actions to be completed within six months of the Government decision. To date, approximately two thirds of those 38 early actions have been achieved…

All of these measures have taken place but more is needed. It is not just about those specific issues; there is a broader issue at play.

The Government decision is as it is; it is as has been taken. My task is to move forward quickly to implement the recommendations. Of the 38 early actions to be completed within six months, about two thirds have been achieved to date. That includes the head of transformation and the head of strategic HR positions being advertised externally and progressed. It also includes implementation and governance structures being developed and initiated, including the establishment of an implementation oversight group. I have…

As the Deputy knows, the triple lock mechanism, which sets out the requirements for the deployment of the Defence Forces for peacekeeping operations, is set down in legislation. The legislation provides that the operation must be mandated by the United Nations, approved by the Government and approved by way of a resolution of Dáil Éireann. Any modification to the triple lock requirements for peacekeeping operations overseas, where the Irish Government can deploy Defence Forces personnel, would require a change in p…

The Deputy has asked the question and I have given him my views. This is a debate and maybe it is the catalyst for the commencement of a debate. We will shortly commence work on a strategic defence review and this is a serious issue that we need to consider. Peacekeeping is a noble Irish tradition. It has been a hallmark of the execution of our foreign policy and has brought great honour to the nation, involving generations of peacekeepers. There is a real possibility now that there will not be a UN peacekeeping mi…

No. That is not in the programme for Government.

The programme for Government commits to the retention of the triple lock but the context has changed because of the war in Ukraine and the behaviour of Russia on the UN Security Council. If we look at Ireland's performance on the UN Security Council for the past two years, it has been quite effective and impactful, particularly in facilitating humanitarian access to areas of significant and severe conflict like Syria and Ethiopia. Many of the authorities there did not like what Ireland was doing because we were def…

I wish to state at the outset that I am fully committed to ensuring that every member of the Defence Forces has the right to undertake duties in a safe environment, underpinned by dignity and equality and by a culture of zero tolerance for any kind of bullying, discrimination, harassment or sexual abuse. That is an absolute priority. Last year, in my role as Taoiseach, I met with both groups, Women of Honour and Men and Women of Honour, and I was very taken by the incredible courage they displayed in sharing their …

When I referenced "later this week", I should have stated that the judge chairing the review group has asked to present the report to me later today. I will receive the report. There has been no delay on my side. Once an independent review group has been appointed, we have to allow the judge to conduct the report without engagement or interference from the political side.

I will then refer the report to the Attorney General, which is the normal procedure following publication. I intend to bring the report to the Government. I will obviously come back to the House in respect of it and will consult with various stakeholder groups, in addition to those who are clearly involved. It is a report that is of importance to every serving member of the Defence Forces and is of wide public interest to the country at large. It will be a very important report, as will its recommendations and our …

The important point is that on receipt of the report, I will make a comprehensive statement, when I come to the House following the bringing of the report to the Government, which will deal with a comprehensive range of issues, some of which the Deputy referenced. I have very clear views on those issues and in respect of the full set of recommendations that will come from the report itself. First, I want to get the report and bring it to my Government colleagues because they will also be involved in that decision-m…

I propose to take Questions Nos. 8, 13 and 22 together. We had that meeting yesterday. I met with the military command and senior officials in my Department in respect of recruitment and retention. The question before me refers specifically to attracting females to enlist in the Defence Forces and to feel fully respected. In terms of recruitment strategies generally, as I have already highlighted my immediate focus is on stabilising the staffing situation in the Naval Service, and thereafter on bringing the strengt…

Am I on the wrong one?

Which one are we on?

I apologise. I thought we had moved on to No. 7 but it was not taken. In any event, as I said, yesterday we had a meeting on recruitment and retention. Particularly with regard to the Naval Service we clearly have to stand back. We have taken measures. Pay and conditions were identified as issues over the past two to three years. There has been a lot of movement on the pay front. We have more work to do for those working in the Naval Service because the numbers are critically low. We need to move very quickly on re…

I said that earlier.

We are focused on it now.