Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 January 2026
267. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Defence the position regarding any assessment of the readiness and preparedness of the Defence Forces in the context of an increasingly volatile international climate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3465/26]
View answerAs Minister for Defence, I am deeply committed to the transformation of the Defence Forces into a modern fit for purpose organisation to defend the State and meet the challenges of today and the future.
The report of the Commission on the Defence Forces 2022 and the current events in Ukraine and the Middle East are prompting an open debate and consideration of our defence requirements. There is an ongoing requirement to consider whether the capabilities we maintain are appropriate, having regard to the security environment, the roles that we wish the Defence Forces to undertake, and likely risks.
The Commission focussed its work on considering the appropriate capabilities, structures and staffing of the Defence Forces with a view to the immediate future, and the uncertain period beyond 2030. The detailed Implementation Plan for the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces published in November 2023 sets out an ambitious programme of work to move to 'Level of Ambition 2' (LOA 2) by 2028 and the significant and fundamental change for the Defence Forces that will be delivered across the Commission's recommendations approved by Government, increasing readiness and preparedness.
The 2015 White Paper on Defence established a fixed cycle of defence reviews to ensure Defence policy remains current, agile and adaptive to the prevailing security environment. The first iteration of these reviews was the White Paper Update published in 2019. The Defence Policy Review 2024 (DPR) 'Adjusting and affirming our Defence policy in an era of change' is the latest in this cycle of reviews. This review reaffirms, and where appropriate, revises our Defence Policy and the posture of the Defence Forces in response to the prevailing security environment and the wider national and international defence landscape.
The DPR is based on a revised Security Environment Assessment (SEA), carried out by an interdepartmental and interagency working group. As well as affirming our commitment to deepening and broadening defence and security cooperation, the review highlights a number of key priorities for the period to 2028. A focus on maritime security is identified as a priority. This involves immediate action on military radar capabilities and the Department of Defence taking the lead on the future national Maritime Security Strategy, which is near completion. The next formal fixed cycle Defence review has been initiated, and it is intended its publication will dovetail with the Level of Ambition (LOA) 2 timeline of 2028.
Capital funding of €1.7 billion has been allocated to Defence under the National Development Plan for the period 2026-2030. This funding represents an increase of €600 million, or 55% on the previous baseline figure of €1.1 billion. The Department of Defence and the Defence Forces are actively reviewing all strategic equipment and infrastructural priorities to align with the revised 2026-2030 multi-annual capital allocations. The revised allocation will enable targeted progression on key elements of government commitments within Level of Ambition 2 (Enhanced Capability) objectives, as outlined in the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces.
In an era defined by rapidly evolving geopolitical tensions, this investment will modernise Defence Forces capability across all domains and ensure that Ireland continues to meet its national and international security responsibilities.
