Written Answers Nos. 110-137
110. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Taoiseach if his attention has been drawn to the fact that according to the CSO, at end December 2023, 25 public corporations (with liabilities exceeding the 0.01% GDP threshold) held liabilities of €166.4 billion; and if he will provide a list of the 25 public corporations, the total debt held by each, in tabular form. [27887/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraEU Member States are required under EU Council Directive 2011/85 on requirements for budgetary frameworks of the Member States to publish relevant information on contingent liabilities with potentially large impacts on public budgets. The CSO publishes this public corporations data as part of the Register of Public Sector Bodies, which is also included in the Department of Finance Contingent Liabilities annual publication.
The liabilities of public corporations, i.e. government-controlled entities classified outside the general government sector, are defined as the stock of liabilities at the end of the year, based on the annual financial accounts of the corporations. These entities are classified outside general government due to their commercial nature. Eurostat requires Member States to report the liabilities of public corporations which exceed 0.01% of GDP. These liabilities, referred to as “contingent”, are deemed to be potential obligations of government and will only materialise if specific conditions prevail.
As requested by the Deputy, the table below lists the 25 public corporations whose total liabilities exceed the 0.01% GDP threshold and together amount to €166.4 billion. The CSO disseminates only aggregated data. Liabilities of individual corporations are detailed in their annual financial statements.
|
Public corporations whose liabilities exceed 0.01% of GDP at 31 Dec 2023 |
|
AIB Group PLC |
|
An Post |
|
Bord na Móna PLC |
|
Bus Átha Cliath |
|
Bus Éireann |
|
Coillte CGA |
|
Dublin Airport Authority PLC |
|
Dublin City University |
|
Dublin Port Company |
|
DLR Properties Ltd |
|
EirGrid PLC |
|
Electricity Supply Board |
|
Ervia |
|
Irish Aviation Authority |
|
National University of Ireland Galway |
|
National University of Ireland Maynooth |
|
Permanent TSB Group Holdings PLC |
|
Port of Cork Company |
|
RTÉ Transmission Network DAC (trading as 2rn) |
|
Shannon Group PLC |
|
Trinity College Dublin |
|
University College Cork |
|
University College Dublin |
|
University of Limerick |
|
Voluntary Health Insurance Board |
111. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Taoiseach the main policy achievements of his Department since 27 June 2020. [27970/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of the Taoiseach’s Annual Reports for 2020, 2021 and 2022 are published on Gov.ie and the Department’s 2023 Annual Report is in preparation and will be published when approved by Government. Since 27 June 2020, the Department of the Taoiseach has been working with other Government Departments to progress key national priorities set out in the Programme for Government including through the work programmes of the various Cabinet Committees, including:
· publication and ongoing implementation of the Housing for All plan, including publication of quarterly Housing for All updates with more than 100,000 new homes completed across the country since June 2020 and a strong pipeline for future delivery seeking to exceed the 2024 target of 33,450;
· publication of an Economic Recovery Plan in 2021 to support Ireland’s economic recovery through continued job creation and transitioning towards a decarbonised and digital economy;
· development of the Well-being Framework for Ireland and driving its whole of Government integration in policy making and budgetary systems;
· publication of Harnessing Digital - The Digital Ireland Framework in February 2022 and ongoing implementation;
· publication and monitoring implementation of annual Climate Action Plans with key measures to help Ireland transition to a zero-carbon economy and society;
· continued engagement at EU and international level on the situation in the Middle East, including by calling for full observance of international law by all parties;
· Ireland’s formal recognition of the State of Palestine on 28 May 2024, in coordination with Spain and Norway, to support the two-state solution;
· engagement with EU leaders to advance high-level objectives in the Programme for Government, in particular, economic and competitiveness issues; energy security; external relations including with the UK; as well as continuing our strong, collective EU response to Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine;
· pursuing our international commitments, including strengthening our relationship with the United States, and implementing the UN Sustainable Development Goals;
· comprehensive programme of dialogues and research by the Shared Island Unit underpinned by the Shared Island Fund;
· ensuring implementation of the New Decade, New Approach commitments; working with the relevant Departments North and South in advancing these goals;
· strengthening the British-Irish bilateral relationship - including with London, and the devolved Governments in Wales and Scotland;
· management of the whole-of-Government response to COVID-19 including the vaccine roll-out;
· mobilising the cross-Government response to increased inward migration flows (including from Ukraine);
· the establishment of the Child Poverty and Well-Being Programme Office; publication of its first Programme Plan setting out new measures in Budget 2024 to reduce child poverty and promote well-being; and more recently the first Child Poverty and Wellbeing Summit in Dublin Castle;
· advancements in Sláintecare; improving access, outcomes and affordability for patients by increasing the capacity and effectiveness of the workforce, infrastructure and provision of patient care;
· supporting the development of the next National Disability Strategy that will set out a blueprint for the further realisation of the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities and will provide the necessary framework for whole-of-government action on disability over the coming years;
· completion of the work of Citizens’ Assemblies on Gender Equality, on a directly-elected mayor for Dublin, Biodiversity Loss and Citizens’ Assembly on Drugs Use;
· the programme of events as part of the Decade of Commemorations, including the Centenaries of the Handover of Dublin Castle, the Irish Civil War and the inauguration of the Irish Free State;
· continued work across the Department on a range of initiatives such as developing the Government’s approach to social dialogue through the Labour Employer Economic Forum, implementation of A Policing Service for our Future, supporting the work of the North East Inner City Initiative, and work on civil and public service reform and advancing the Government’s legislative programmes.
112. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the main policy achievements of his Department since 27 June 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27962/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraOver the past four years, my Department has achieved much progress across a number of policy areas, framed by our commitments under the Programme for Government and the Department’s Statement of Strategy.
Delivery of services to Irish citizens has remained central to our work. Following disruptions in the first year of the pandemic, the Passport Service began scaling up towards normal operations in May 2021 and has been delivering close to one million passports per year since 2022. This was made possible by technological and organisational innovation and, above all, by the hard work of the staff in all our passport offices.
The COVID pandemic also necessitated the most extensive repatriation operation in the history of the State. My Department helped over 8,000 citizens to return from 129 countries across five continents while simultaneously contributing to the overall Government response to the pandemic.
Moreover, as we emerged from the pandemic, my Department has had to contend with an increasingly difficult geopolitical context with Russia’s further invasion of Ukraine, crises in Afghanistan and Sudan, and the on-going conflicts in the Middle East imposing significant demands on my Department and its staff in Ireland and around the world.
We assisted Irish citizens and their accompanying dependents to leave both Ukraine and Russia as Russia launched a full-scale invasion. We have continued to provide substantial and multifaceted political, security, financial and diplomatic support to Ukraine, supported the strongest sanctions against Russia, continually engaged with international partners and institutions to ensure accountability, and worked to ensure the highest possible participation and engagement at the Peace Summit in Switzerland earlier this month.
My Department has led long-standing engagement by the government on the conflicts in the Middle East and since 7th October 2023, we have assisted the evacuation of Irish citizens and their dependents, supported international efforts to achieve a ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and to ensure humanitarian access. Throughout the conflict, I have unequivocally condemned all acts of terrorism. I have also made consistently clear that the protection of civilians must be paramount.
Moreover, in May of this year the Government, alongside Spain and Norway, formally recognised the State of Palestine as a sovereign and independent state and established full diplomatic relations. It was a historic moment for Ireland and a clear and immutable statement of our deeply-held belief that there can be no peace in the Middle East until the Israeli and Palestinian peoples alike enjoy the same rights to self-determination, statehood, peace, security and dignity.
Peace and reconciliation on our island has been a central priority throughout this period. A particular achievement of my Department since 2020 was the successful navigation of the challenge of Brexit, ensuring that our key objectives were met both in relation to Northern Ireland and the overall EU-UK trade and cooperation arrangements. In February 2023, the EU and UK reached agreement on the Windsor Framework. Since then we have supported the implementation of the framework arrangements, which brought predictability and stability for business and traders across the island, underpinning the all-island economy. My Department also supported Irish traders and businesses to successfully prepare for and transition to new UK import controls introduced in 2024, running communications campaigns and stakeholders engagements.
2023 also saw the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement and we marked this significant milestone both at home and abroad. In February of this year, we saw the successful re-establishment of the Northern Ireland institutions.
In April 2023, my Department also played a leading role in supporting the visit of President Biden to Belfast, Dublin, Mayo and Louth. It was a significant moment in the bilateral relationship and provided the Government with a unique opportunity to discuss our mutually beneficial economic relationship and our shared commitment to building peace and prosperity on the island of Ireland, through the Good Friday Agreement.
Deepening our EU relationships and our influence at EU level has also been a central focus of my Department during this period. Relations with France and Germany have been strengthened through implementation of successful Joint Plans of Action with both countries as well as State Visits to Ireland by Presidents Macron and Steinmeier in 2021. The Programme for Government made a particular commitment to marking 50 years of Irish membership of the EU and I was delighted through 2022 and 2023 to lead on a “EU50” programme of national and international engagements marking this historic anniversary. Moreover, as we look ahead, my Department has initiated preparatory work in consultation with the Department of the Taoiseach, to ensure Ireland delivers a successful EU Presidency in 2026.
In 2022, Ireland held the Presidency of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers. Our Presidency delivered many significant achievements, most notably securing agreement across the 46 Member States to convene just the fourth Summit in the Council’s 74-year history, held in Reykjavik in May 2023.
During this period Ireland served as an elected member of the UN Security Council for the fourth time in its history, where we were active across the whole Council agenda. We successfully co-led on negotiations to twice extend the mandate of the lifesaving UN cross-border humanitarian operation into Syria; led on negotiations to successfully renew Operation Althea in Bosnia-Herzegovina; championed human rights in Afghanistan - particularly for women and girls; and led efforts to bring the conflict and dire humanitarian situation in Ethiopia to the attention of the Council. Ireland tabled (in conjunction with Niger) a Climate and Security resolution garnering support from 113 member states . We successfully negotiated a landmark Resolution on peacekeeping transitions and were also a co-penholder for a resolution carving out a broad humanitarian exemption for UN Sanctions in December 2022.
Our commitment to climate action, gender equality, and the reduction of poverty, hunger and humanitarian need as outlined in A Better World has remained constant with Ireland delivering record amounts of Official Development Assistance during the period in question. The budget allocation for 2024, of €775.3 million, is the highest ever allocation by Government, and coincides with the 50th anniversary year of the establishment of the Irish Aid programme. Moreover, in the face of escalating humanitarian needs, Ireland’s funding for humanitarian response has increased steadily in recent years and Ireland is recognised as a strong, principled donor, whose assistance is provided based on the humanitarian principles of independence, neutrality, impartiality and humanity.
With respect to global food security and the energy crisis, my Department worked closely with Áras an Uachtaráin in support of President Higgins' important addresses to the Africa Food summit in Dakar in January 2023 and the World Food Forum in Rome in October 2023. This supported and reinforced Ireland’s financial and policy commitments on food and nutrition made at the UN Food Systems Summit and Nutrition for Growth Summit in 2021. This led to a renewed and expanded collaboration with USAID on food and nutrition security including a pledge of €50 million to combat child wasting and €75 million in support to climate resilient agriculture at country level in Africa.
We have also strengthened our engagement on Global Health, in particular with the World Health Organisation, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and continue to support Gavi the Vaccine Alliance.
In 2022, the Department of Foreign Affairs led on a cross-governmental process to formulate Ireland’s International Climate Finance Roadmap. The Roadmap sets out how Ireland will deliver on the target of providing at least €225 million per year in international climate finance by 2025, and we are on track to meet this target. Ireland has also prioritised Loss and Damage in our climate diplomacy in recent years, and we were influential in securing a historic agreement on a new Fund for Loss and Damage and in ensuring that this fund will prioritise the most vulnerable countries.
Throughout this period, my Department has led in a number of other international negotiations. In November 2022, we hosted a high-level international conference for the Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas (EWIPA), on strengthening the protection of civilians from the consequences of the use of explosives in populated areas. In June 2023, my Department played an active role in the adoption of the UN Agreement on Marine Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ). In September 2023, Ireland served as co-facilitator of negotiations and secured agreement on the Political Declaration for the Sustainable Development Goals Summit. We also led on several other high level conferences over the period, such as the Global Diaspora Summit in April 2022 and the European Congress on Global Citizenship Education (GCE) in November 2022.
In partnership with the Department of Defence, my Department played a key role convening the Consultative Forum on International Security Policy. The Forum focused on a wide range of issues, including Ireland’s efforts to protect the rules-based international order through peacekeeping and crisis management, disarmament and non-proliferation, international humanitarian law, and conflict prevention and peacebuilding as well as allowing for a discussion on Ireland’s policy of military neutrality.
My Department continues to implement the Government’s Diaspora Strategy 2020-2025 and to support Irish communities abroad through the Emigrant Support Programme (ESP). Since 2004 more than 850 organisations in 51 countries have been assisted with total grants of more than €237 million. In 2023 we also hosted the third Global Irish Civic Forum, a gathering of Irish community representatives from all over the world. Topics discussed included support for Irish communities abroad, particularly for the most vulnerable, promotion of Irish cultural heritage and sport, network building, and reaching the next generations of the diaspora.
Under Global Ireland 2025, key strategies were launched throughout the period, framing our future engagement with Africa, the US and Canada, alongside strategies for the Asia-Pacific, Nordic, Latin American and Caribbean regions, as well as Small Island Developing States and our Diaspora. A new strategy for Middle East & North Africa is currently being developed.
Since 2020, under the Global Ireland commitments to double our impact by 2025, we have opened 9 new missions. These include new Embassies in Rabat, Manila, Kyiv, Dakar and Tehran and new Consulates General in Manchester, Lyon, Toronto and Miami bringing to 19 the number of new missions opened under the strategy. In 2024 we will open a new Embassy in Islamabad and new Consulates General in Milan and Munich. The Government has also approved the opening of a further 5 new missions in Belgrade, Sarajevo, Chisinau, Malága and Melbourne.
My Department led an all-of-Government approach to Ireland’s presence at Expo 2020 in Dubai, promoting Irish business and investment opportunities in the UAE and beyond. We had over 350,000 visitors to our pavilion in Dubai, and preparations for Expo 2025 in Osaka are underway.
Working together as Team Ireland at home and overseas is also at the heart of the Global Ireland Strategy. Guided by the Government's Trade and Investment Strategy 2022-2026: Value for Ireland, Values for the World, our missions work with our Team Ireland partners in delivering our trade, investment, education, tourism and research priorities. We have also delivered a programme of innovative cultural and public diplomacy initiatives under Global Ireland, including the appointment of specialist Cultural Attachés in priority locations worldwide.
Finally, further to my appointment in December 2022, I was pleased to launch a new Departmental Statement of Strategy in early 2023 to guide the work of the Department of Foreign Affairs during this period. It recognised the current changed and challenging global context and the many complex challenges that Ireland is facing. In tandem, the commitment to improve capacity and capability within my Department continues and is guided by a new HR strategy which is driving implementation of a range of policies to support our staff, including a new Learning and Development Framework, a Gender, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Action Plan, and a Blended Working Policy for HQ and Abroad - all of which sit within the framework of the DFA Human Resources Strategy 2023 - 2027.
My Department has continued to deliver on behalf of Irish citizens at home and abroad during an intense and challenging period. I would also refer you the Department’s annual reports, which provide a comprehensive overview of our work.
Over the past four years, my Department has achieved much progress in a number of policy areas, framed by our commitments under the Programme for Government, and the Department’s Statement of Strategy.
113. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application (details supplied) will be reviewed and expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27979/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, this is a paper application which was received on 7th June 2024. The turnaround time for paper applications is 8 weeks. This application is within the turnaround time and has not yet reached its issue-by date.
114. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he had a bilateral meeting with his Croatian counterpart at the most recent EU Foreign Affairs Council Meeting. [28076/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI attended the most recent meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg on Monday 24 June. Discussions at the Council focused on Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East, the Western Balkans, Georgia and the Great Lakes Region. The Foreign Ministers of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia joined the FAC for the discussion item on the Western Balkans, which focused on deepening cooperation and engagement between the EU and the region, and in particular alignment with EU Common Foreign and Security Policy. Although, on this occasion, I did not have a bilateral meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Croatia, Mr. Gordan Grlic-Radman, Ireland and Croatia continue to have very strong bilateral relations, as exemplified during the visit by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia, Mr. Andrej Plenkovic, to Dublin last year.
115. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on recent activities of the Irish Consulate General based in Hong Kong, including staffing numbers. [28077/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe role of the Consulate General in Hong Kong is to develop relations between Ireland and Hong Kong across a range of political, economic and people-to-people activities, to provide services to the Irish community, and to report on developments in Hong Kong. There are three diplomatic staff posted from the Department of Foreign Affairs and two locally engaged staff. The Consulate General works closely with the Embassy of Ireland in Beijing.The Consulate General provides consular and passport services to a community of over 3,000 Irish citizens. These services range from emergency and crisis consular advice to facilitation of passport renewals. In the period of January to June 2024, the Consulate General facilitated the delivery of over 317 passports and dealt with over 2500 email queries.The Consulate General has engaged in a number of activities in line with the objectives set out in the Government’s renewed Asia Pacific Strategy published in October last year.
A key element of their work is the promotion of Irish culture in Hong Kong. In February, the Consulate General hosted the first official St. Brigid’s Day event in Hong Kong. The event brought together women leaders in the Arts and business in Hong Kong.
In March and April, the Consulate General partnered with the Hong Kong International Film Festival, Hong Kong Walls street art festival and the Hong Kong International Literary Festival to sponsor the participation of Irish artists and promote modern Irish culture to a local audience.
For St. Patrick's Day, the Consulate facilitated the visit of then Minister for Finance, Michael McGrath. The Minister’s programme included engagements with diaspora organisations, meetings with Irish State Agencies working in Hong Kong in support of Irish businesses, and media engagement. He also held a roundtable discussion on the Financial Sector in Hong Kong with the participation of Irish professionals working in the industry. The Consulate General also supported a number of community events in Hong Kong to mark St. Patrick's Day.The Consulate General has also participated this year in European Union Member State observation of trials of pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong brought under the National Security Law and other legislation. The Consulate General reports regularly on political developments in Hong Kong.The above key activities are in addition to a programme of ongoing engagements with diplomatic counterparts, the Hong Kong administration, key stakeholders in the financial services industry, other members of the business community, the sporting community and the resident Irish community and members of the diaspora.
116. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the top five language courses provided by his Department for Irish embassy or consulate staff based overseas where English is not the first language spoken in 2022, 2023 and to-date in 2024; the amount paid by his Department for those courses for staff in the years in question, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28104/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraDeveloping and maintaining foreign language proficiency is an essential part of an effective diplomatic and foreign service. The Department aims therefore to provide the supports and resources staff need to achieve an enhanced level of foreign language proficiency from online training, group classes, one to one classes to immersion courses.
Staff preparing for posting to an Embassy or Consulate overseas are provided with foreign language training ahead of that posting and this then continues for the duration of the posting. This ensures that posted staff are equipped with the language skills necessary to carry out their duties and responsibilities effectively, including to promote and protect Irish interests and values, and to provide excellent services to citizens.
The table below outlines the top five languages in respect of which courses were supported by the Department for staff based at Embassies and Consulates overseas, in locations where English is not the first language spoken. The table includes information for the years 2022, 2023 and to-date in 2024.
|
Language |
2022 Number of staff overseas undertaking lessons |
2022 Cost € |
2023 Number of staff overseas undertaking lessons |
2023 Cost € |
2024 (to date) Number of staff overseas undertaking lessons |
2024 Cost € |
|
French |
40 |
100,803 |
61 |
109,048 |
49 |
73,417 |
|
Spanish |
23 |
51,358 |
32 |
76,661 |
21 |
21,351 |
|
German |
13 |
38,983 |
13 |
29,369 |
11 |
18,181 |
|
Portuguese |
7 |
10,397 |
20 |
34,969 |
7 |
16,526 |
|
Mandarin Chinese |
6 |
9,754 |
17 |
17,493 |
5 |
8,495 |
|
Total Spend |
€211,595 |
€267,540 |
€137,970 |
117. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he intends to publish the discussion paper and accompanying letter he wrote to NATO seeking closer cooperation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28161/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland works closely with the other militarily neutral and non-aligned countries in Western Europe that are not members of NATO.
In this context, in December 2023, Ireland joined Switzerland, Austria and Malta in submitting a non-paper and accompanying letter which addressed our engagement with the organisation. As I have already outlined, this non-paper and letter focused in particular on ways in which the four countries concerned are working to enhance international peace and security, including through our contributions to international peacekeeping missions, such as the NATO mission in Kosovo (KFOR). The paper and letter also addressed opportunities for dialogue and consultation between the four countries and NATO on issues of mutual relevance and interest.
As I have stated previously, our engagement on these issues reflects the Government’s approach to strengthening our cooperation with international partners, including NATO, in addressing the security challenges facing Europe today It also aligns with the specific goals contained within our new Individually Tailored Partnership Programme (ITPP), under our long-standing partnership with NATO through Partnership for Peace. Malta, Switzerland and Austria, who have also recently concluded similar ITPPs with NATO, take the same approach and all four countries cooperate closely on security and defence policy issues, both in the context of the Partnership for Peace framework and more broadly.
Given that the non-paper and the letter were prepared jointly with three other States, we are not in a position to publish these documents; however, officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs are available to brief the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence in more detail at any stage.
118. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport for a person (details supplied) will issue in time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28288/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service initially requested further supporting documents from the applicant on 16th April 2024. However, the application remained incomplete. The final set of further supporting documents were received from the applicant on 24th June 2024. The turnaround time following receipt of additional documents is 15 working days.
119. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will advocate for the inclusion of gender apartheid in the proposed United Nations treaty to codify crimes against humanity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28297/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt its forthcoming 79th session in the autumn of 2024, the UN Sixth Committee (Legal Affairs) will further examine the International Law Commission’s Draft Articles on Prevention and Punishment of Crimes Against Humanity. The Sixth Committee will consider once again the ILC’s 2019 recommendation to elaborate an international convention on the basis of the Draft Articles, and is due to take a decision on this matter. The ILC Draft Articles on Crimes Against Humanity have been on the Sixth Committee agenda as a stand-alone item since 2020 and have also been discussed at two ‘resumed sessions’ of the Sixth Committee, dedicated to discussing the Draft Articles in detail, which took place in April 2023 and April 2024.
Ireland participated and engaged in the dedicated resumed sessions, and has made statements during previous Sixth Committee discussions on the ILC Draft Articles in 2023, 2022 and 2021. We also made written comments on the Draft Articles, following General Assembly resolution A/RES/77/249 of 30 December 2022 , which requested states to do this.
Ireland is, therefore, actively engaged in the work of the Sixth Committee on this topic, and our overall position is clear. We strongly support the elaboration of a convention on the basis of the Draft Articles. Unlike other core international crimes, namely genocide and war crimes, there currently exists no stand-alone international convention dedicated to preventing and punishing crimes against humanity. We see a convention as necessary to close a significant gap in the international treaty law framework, and a gap in the fight against impunity more broadly. Although the majority of UN Member States share our view, the current priority is on convincing the remainder of the necessity of elaborating a new convention; agreement on this has not yet been forthcoming.
A key argument in bringing states on board has been the guarantee that any new convention will not represent a departure from the Rome Statute, which established the International Criminal Court, and which in its Article 7 includes a definition of crimes against humanity. Proposals to add to the list of crimes against humanity, before agreement has been reached on the basic premise of the need for a new convention, is therefore likely to distract from the core issue and ultimately frustrate efforts to elaborate a convention to plug this significant accountability gap.
In any event, it should be noted that the Rome Statute definition of crimes against humanity encompasses the crime of persecution on the basis of gender, which is mirrored in the ILC’s Draft Article 2. It would not, therefore, appear that there is a specific impunity gap with regard to gender persecution in the current Crimes Against Humanity Draft Articles. We would, however, be willing to consider this further in the context of dedicated negotiations on a crimes against humanity convention, once there is agreement to begin negotiations. All crimes against humanity, including persecution on the basis of gender, are abhorrent and among the most serious of international crimes. A dedicated convention is the most important step in creating an international framework that prevents the commission of such crimes and punishes the perpetrators. Until that point has been reached, achieving agreement to begin negotiations on such a convention will remain our priority.
120. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has engaged with the Attorney General in relation to the Whiddy Island disaster; and to provide details on the Government’s plans to engage with victims’ families. [28239/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand that in February 2023, the then Taoiseach engaged with the Office of the Attorney General (AGO) regarding communications received from families of the victims of the Whiddy Island disaster. Subsequent to this I understand the AGO has engaged with the correspondent on a number of occasions and the process is ongoing.
121. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there have been discussions between the inland fisheries division and Inland Fisheries Ireland regarding the implementation of a full catch and release policy on all fish species, both native and non-native, throughout the Clare River catchment (part of Lough Corrib SAC) including its tributaries of the Abbert, Dalgan, Grange, Nanny and Sinking rivers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27881/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI recently introduced a bye-law for the conservation of wild brown trout in the Clare River and its tributaries - Conservation of Trout in the Rivers Clare, Abbert, Dalgan, Grange and Sinking Bye-Law No. 1008, 2024 - on the basis of advice from Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI). The purpose of this bye-law is to reduce the harvest of adult brown trout migrating from lough Corrib to their spawning grounds in the feeder streams of the Clare River catchment in order to protect and conserve the mature fish stocks of the Clare River catchment.
In view of IFI's statutory remit and scientific expertise, my Department considers the advice of Inland Fisheries Ireland on the conservation of fish species nationally on an ongoing basis.
122. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if private waste providers are required by regulations to provide compost bins to householders; if they are permitted to charge for this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27900/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder previous waste legislation, waste collection companies were only required to offer a bio-waste waste (brown) bin to households in population agglomerations of 500 people or more.
The European Union (Household Food Waste and Bio-waste) Regulations 2023 which came into force on the 1st January 2024 oblige collectors to provide a bio-waste (brown) bin to all their customers regardless of where in the country they live. Enforcement of the regulations is a matter for the relevant local authority.
The expansion of the brown bin is being supported by a comprehensive education and awareness campaign to advise households of their entitlement to this service while also offering advice on how to properly segregate their food and other organic waste, please see MyWaste.ie for further information.
Household and commercial waste is one of the National Waste Enforcement Priorities for 2024 therefore local authority waste enforcement efforts will be targeted towards ensuring that waste collectors are providing the service as required.
The waste management market is serviced by private companies under a local authority permit system, where terms and conditions of contracts, including pricing plans, are matters between those companies and their customers, subject to compliance with all applicable legislation. As such, as Minister, I have no role in setting prices in a private market. The structure of pricing plans, including for the provision/collection of a bio-waste (brown) bin, is a commercial decision for each company in the market.
123. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department will conduct an audit of all sites owned/rented by Government Departments for a feasibility study on installing deposit return machines on sites which sell applicable units on site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27901/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe decision on whether to install an RVM lies fully with the hospitality operator on site. As Minister, I have no function in this matter.
Under the regulations, retailers who sell products covered by the Scheme, including those who operate in government departments, are obliged to provide a take-back facility for empty containers, unless they qualify for an exemption.
Retailers with a store size of less than 250m2 , as well as those operating vending machines or online sales, food-to-go and hospitality establishments may apply to Re-Turn, the DRS operator, for an exemption from providing a take-back facility.
124. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the main policy achievements of his Department since 27 June 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27960/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn accordance with the Public Service Management Act 1997, my Department's policy achievements are reported in its Annual Report. The Department's Annual Reports over the period 2020 - 2022 are available at the following links:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/86651-annual-report-2020/
www.gov.ie/en/publication/92514-annual-report-2021/
www.gov.ie/en/publication/d3c02-annual-report-2022/
Progress on key policy achievements of my Department for 2023 will be set out in the 2023 Annual Report which will be published shortly. In the interim, information and publications relating to the Department’s policy achievements in 2023 may be found www.gov.ie/en/search/?type=general_publications&organisation=department-of-the-environment-climate-and-communications
125. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if any amendments have been made to the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act 1983, and in particular section 46; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28022/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraA number of amendments have been made to the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act 1983 since it was first enacted. Details of all legislation, and amendments thereto, are available in the Irish Statute Book which can be accessed online. The following link shows all of the amendments made to the 1983 Act referred to by the Deputy www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/isbc/1983_24.html
126. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when he is next scheduled to meet formally with the CEO of An Post. [28087/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy office is currently arranging to schedule a meeting with the CEO of An Post. As a matter of course I, as Minister, meet with the CEOs of the Agencies under the aegis of my Department as appropriate.
127. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 35 of 20 June 2024, if it has been brought to his attention that a universal mobile coverage proposal for rural Ireland was made in the terms described; whether the recipients included his Department; if he could give an outline of the proposal; whether it is being progressed, and if not, the reasons for not doing so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28088/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn Question No. 35 of 20 June 2024 reference was made to a ‘unified mobile phone network’ which the Deputy refers to here as a ‘universal mobile coverage proposal’. An approach was made to my Department in 2022 by one operator regarding a concept they described as a Shared Rural Network. The operator described the concept as being similar in nature to an initiative being undertaken in the United Kingdom.
That approach to my Department was made during the period when the process for the Multiband Spectrum Award 2022 was being progressed. The Multiband Spectrum Award 2022 released significant amounts of new spectrum to the market for the provision of more 4G and 5G services. It concluded in January 2023 with the award of spectrum licenses to the mobile network operators.
In designing this spectrum award process the independent regulator, ComReg, commissioned independent economic analyses about the best approach to placing geographic coverage obligations on the operators and consulted widely with industry stakeholders, including the operators, and with my Department. The Multiband Spectrum Award 2022 saw a rebalancing of focus on both wider geographic coverage as well as population coverage.
The spectrum licences awarded in 2023 include legal commitments from the operators to provide: a 3 Mbit/s service to 99% of the population and 92% of the geographic area of Ireland; a 30 Mbit/s service to 95% of the population, 90% of motorways, and 80% of primary roads; and a 30 Mbit/s service to 345 specific locations, consisting of 40 business and technology parks, 65 hospitals, 24 higher education campuses, 14 air and seaports, 160 train and bus stations, and 42 top visitor attraction information points. In considering these specific locations ComReg had regard to the output of the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce which provided a guidance report on the broad categories of locations where mobile services should be made available based on a ranking of the benefits (economic, societal, safety) of different location categories.
128. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when he will notify local authorities of the exemption dates for agri-burns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28092/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Waste Management (Prohibition of Waste Disposal by Burning) Regulations 2009 make it an offence to dispose of waste by uncontrolled burning. Article 5 of the Regulations provided an exemption for the disposal of uncontaminated wood, trees, tree trimmings, leaves, brush, or other similar waste generated by agricultural practices by burning. Such burning was only to be done as a final measure following the application of the waste hierarchy. Article 6 of the Regulations provided a five-year sunset clause for this exemption, however it was since extended through amending Regulations on several occasions.
The exemption was extended for a further two-month period until 1 March 2023 and again for a further three-month period from 1 September 2023 to 30 November 2023. On foot of this extension, a Circular Letter issued to all local authorities in February 2023 advising the sector that this would be the final such extension to the exemption.
129. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of individuals dismissed from the Defences Forces owing to court sentences received by them, over the past ten years. [27818/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Defence Act 1954 provides for the dismissal or discharge of members of the Permanent Defence Forces for prescribed reasons. In addition, Section 50 of the Defence Act provides for the dismissal of Officers by the President for prescribed reasons which are set down in Defence Forces Regulations (DFR) A.15.
Enlisted personnel of the Permanent Defence Forces may be discharged for any one of the twenty-six reasons identified in Defence Forces Regulations, DFR A.10 including under Para 58 (m), ‘a result of conviction by the Civil Power’.
I am advised that eighteen members of the Permanent Defence Forces have been discharged under the provisions of DFR A.10 Para. 58 (m) over the last ten years.
130. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the main policy achievements of his Department since 27 June 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27957/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government published in 2020 contains an ambitious range of commitments concerning the Defence sector that my Department will continue to implement over the lifetime of the Programme.
One of the key commitments was to establish a Commission on the Defence Forces. On the 15th December 2020, the Government approved terms of reference and the membership of an independent Commission on the Defence Forces, and their report was published on the 9th February 2022.
On the 12th July 2022, Government approval was given for a move to 'Level of Ambition 2' (LOA2), as set out in the capability framework devised by the Commission on the Defence Forces. This will result in the Defence budget rising from €1.1 billion to €1.5 billion, in 2022 prices, by 2028, the largest increase in Defence funding in the history of the State. This will allow for the required substantial transformation and investment in recruitment and equipment that were identified by the Commission. The move to LOA2 will require an additional 2,000 personnel (civil and military) over and above the current establishment of 9,500. This demonstrates the Government's strong commitment to support the transformation of the Defence Forces into a modern, agile military force, capable of responding to increasingly complex security threats.
The High Level Action Plan for the report of the Commission set out a total of 38 early actions to be completed within 6 months of the Government decision. A comprehensive written update on all 38 early actions was published on March 23rd 2023, and included the status of each of the 38 early actions in tabular form. To date 37 out of the 38 Early Actions from the High Level Action Plan have been completed, with work ongoing on the Working Time Directive.
Some specific initiatives included the immediate commencement of planning for military radar capabilities, including primary radar, the establishment of an Office of Reserve Affairs with the priority objective of developing a regeneration plan for the Reserve Defence Force and the commencement of a Strategic Defence Review (SDR). On foot of a recommendation of the Commission on the Defence Forces, a new Capability Development Unit has been established to take a new top down strategic approach to Capability Development Planning.
The High Level Action Plan set out the initial implementation and oversight structures. A High-Level Steering Board has been established, chaired by the Secretary General of the Department of the Taoiseach, to oversee the implementation. An independently chaired Implementation Oversight Group has been established to monitor the implementation of the recommendations approved by Government. Ms. Julie Sinnamon has been appointed as the independent chair of this group. There have been eight meetings of the Group to date; most recently on the 22nd of April 2024.
A key early action, and key output from the opening phase of the Transformation Programme, the development of a detailed implementation plan, is now complete and was noted by Cabinet and published on the 21st of November 2023. This plan 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.
The High Level Action Plan also identified the recruitment, through an open process, for the new senior-level civilian positions of Head of Transformation and Head of Strategic HR for the Defence Forces as early actions required to progress this transformation. In 2023, the Head of Transformation and the Head of Strategic HR were appointed.
The report of the Independent Review Group (IRG) established to examine dignity and equality issues in the Defence Forces was published following Government approval on 28th March 2023. As part of the response to the IRG Report, the Government approved the establishment of an External Oversight Body for the Defence Forces to drive the necessary culture changes throughout the Defence Forces and enhance transparency and accountability. This is an essential part of the transformation of the current workplace to support current serving members.
The External Oversight Body is chaired by Prof. Brian MacCraith; its Terms of Reference were published on the 12th July 2023. To support the body in its work, a dedicated Secretariat has been established and to date the Body has met on 27 occasions. The Defence Amendment Bill is currently passing through the Houses of the Oireachtas. This Legislation includes provisions to put the Body on a Statutory Footing.
In September 2023, the Strategic Framework - Transformation of the Defence Forces was published. This document clearly sets out the vital work that is underway relating to the transformation of the Defence Forces and outlines the necessary actions to be delivered by the end of 2024. It covers the recommendations made in the Report of the Independent Review Group on Dignity and Equality issues in the Defence Forces (IRG) and the Commission on the Defence Forces Report (CoDF), together with measures to address recruitment and retention challenges, and the legislative changes needed to modernise our Defence Forces. On the 15th of May this year, the Strategic Framework – Transformation of the Defence Forces Update Report September 2023 - April 2024 was published.
In June this year, I established a Tribunal of Inquiry to examine the Defence Forces complaints process in relation to bullying, discrimination, harassment and sexual misconduct. The Tribunal of Inquiry will examine the effectiveness of the complaints processes in the Defence Forces concerning workplace issues relating to discrimination, bullying, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual misconduct. It will also have the power to investigate the response to complaints made regarding the use of hazardous chemicals within Air Corps’ headquarters at Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel.
Since June 2020, the finalisation of ongoing White Paper Projects, and the scheduled initiation of the majority of the future projects, has been evaluated and considered in light of the CoDF. The White Paper on Defence Programme Status Report was published in May 2024, which details the closure of 65 of the original 95 White Paper Projects. Of the 30 remaining projects, the vast majority (28) are now incorporated within the scope of specific projects set out in the Detailed Implementation Plan for the Commission on the Defence Forces. The remaining 2 projects will be progressed on a stand-alone basis.
An organisational capability review of the Department of Defence commenced in 2021. The Review was conducted by the Organisational Capability Review team which is based in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and involved engagement with Departmental staff and key stakeholders in the policy and operational domains of the Department. The report has been published on the Department’s website and an Action plan has been developed and is being progressed to address the recommendations of the review.
A defence review commenced in 2023 with the preparation of a revised security environment assessment (SEA) which was conducted by an interdepartmental working group and addresses the significant security environment changes since the invasion of Ukraine. A fresh consideration of the implications of this assessment for overall policy requirements, associated tasks, capability development and resourcing has been undertaken and the defence review will be submitted to the Tánaiste imminently.
The Defence Forces Infrastructure Development Plan (IDP) sets out a programme of project delivery for the years 2023 to 2027. The updated Plan estimates infrastructure requirements to be in region of some €300m for the coming years and there are currently over €147m worth of projects underway at different stages of development.
My Department continues to implement the rolling 5-year Equipment Development Plan 2020-2024. In terms of military equipment two new Airbus C-295W Maritime Patrol Aircraft were delivered during 2023. These aircraft will enhance the Air Corps’ maritime surveillance capability and will provide a greater degree of utility for transport and cargo carrying tasks. In addition, a contract for a military transport aircraft has been placed and a tender process has been initiated to purchase a new Government Jet.
Two Inshore Patrol Vessels bought from the New Zealand Navy were delivered to Cork in 2023. They are expected to become operational in 2024. A mid-life refit and modernisation programme of works of LÉ Roisín was completed and LÉ Niamh is ongoing, and expected to be completed in 2024. Marine advisors have been appointed to support the procurement of a Multi-Role Vessel (MRV) to replace the now decommissioned former flagship LÉ Eithne. This work is underway and will inform a public tender competition, in line with the Public Spending Code, in due course.
The MOWAG Midlife Upgrade Programme to upgrade and maintain the Army’s fleet of 80 MOWAG Armoured Personnel Carriers continued in 2023. Four armoured utility vehicles were also delivered which completes a multi-year programme to introduce a brand new vehicle type to the Defence Forces fleet, offering essential force protection to personnel on overseas missions. Significant contracts were finalised in 2023 to acquire force protection and soldier systems including Night vision equipment, CBRN Suit Replacement and EOD Systems upgrades.
The acquisition of ammunition for training and overseas deployments continued throughout 2023. These included small, medium and large calibre, pyrotechnics, EOD munitions, Short Range Manually Portable Air Defence missiles and Javelin missiles.
Recruitment and retention of personnel is a key priority for me. My Department has progressed a number of activities relating to recruitment and retention in the Defence Forces, and related HR issues including commissioning from the ranks, the re-entry of former PDF personnel with specific skills, a sea-going commitment scheme for Naval Service Personnel, an Air Corps Service Commitment Scheme, the Naval Service Tax Credit and extending service limits for Privates, Corporals and Sergeants. A new Naval Service Patrol Duty Allowance was introduced with effect from 1 January 2024, doubling existing rates. The changes will simplify existing Naval Service measures, this is in line with the Commission on Defence Forces recommendations to replace existing sea-going allowances with less complex measures.
With effect from 29th March 2024, the maximum retirement age for all Permanent Defence Force personnel was increased to 60 years. This facilitated an increase in the maximum recruitment age to 39 for those roles with a current recruitment age below 39 years. The extended Building Momentum Agreement 2021-2023 provides for increases in pay for all public servants, including members of the Defence Forces of 6.5% over the lifetime of the agreement. A sub-committee of the Defence Conciliation and Arbitration Council (comprising of the Representative Associations, military and civil management) has been established to discuss, where appropriate, matters relating to implementation of the Working Time Directive. Discussions with the Defence Forces Representative Associations will continue to be undertaken through this forum as the current work evolves. Arising from a Programme for Government commitment, sanction was secured from the Department of Public Expenditure, Reform and NDP Delivery during 2023 for the extension of private secondary medical care to all Defence Forces ranks.
In relation to legislation, the Defence Forces (Evidence) Act 2022 was enacted during 2022. The principal purpose of this Act is to provide for members of the Military Police to take and use DNA samples and other evidence for the purposes of their investigations, including outside the jurisdiction when Defence Forces personnel are deployed overseas. I also signed the Commencement Order for the Defence (Amendment) Act 2021 and all provisions of the Act commenced with effect from 4 April 2022. Comprehensive rewrites of the Defence Forces Regulations relating to the Reserve Defence Forces (R5 and R7) and Boards of Survey (L7) have also been completed.
2023 saw the Civil Defence Act commencement and the amendments to sections 169 and 192 of the Defence Act 1954 prepared and included in the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Human Trafficking) Bill 2023; these amendments give effect to a recommendation of the Independent Review Group on Dignity and Equality Issues in the Defence Forces concerning the investigation and trial of sexual offences involving persons subject to military law.
The Defence (Amendment) Bill 2024 has passed all stages in Dáil Éireann and Second Stage in Seanad Éireann was completed on the 18th of June 2024. This Bill gives effect to a key recommendation of the Independent Review Group on Dignity and Equality issues in the Defence Forces in relation to the establishment on a statutory basis of an External Oversight Body of the Defence Forces; establishes a statutory framework for the Minister for Defence to consent to the military representative associations to associate with ICTU (Irish Congress of Trade Unions); and brings forward a number of important miscellaneous amendments to the Defence Acts and an amendment to the Ombudsman (Defence Forces) Act 2004.
As I indicated in my statement to the Dáil on 22 November 2023 on the "Triple Lock" mechanism, I have also instructed my officials to prepare legislative proposals that would govern the future overseas deployments of the Defence Forces and this work has commenced.
A ten year implementation plan for the Civil Defence policy “Civil Defence-Towards 2030”, including the introduction of a three-year cyclical planning process, was approved and is being implemented. As part of this a new Civil Defence Volunteer and Equipment Management System went live in July 2023. This new system, which was awarded the Workforce of the Future Award at the Civil Service Enterprise Innovation Awards, allows for more efficient management of around 2,500 Civil Defence volunteers, their training and activities. It is also assisting with equipment and vehicle management. The Civil Defence Act 2023 was enacted in July 2023. The Act provides a modern legislative basis for the Civil Defence organisation. Following the introduction of the new legislation, the Civil Defence Act 2023, Code of Practice Regulations 2023 (S.I. No. 371/2023) were introduced by the Minister. The Code of Practice prescribed in these regulations sets out grievance and disciplinary procedures as well as standards of conduct and integrity for Civil Defence volunteers.
With regard to international initiatives, my Departments main focus since June 2020 was Ireland’s policy input into negotiations around the establishment in March 2021 of the European Peace Facility (EPF); the new mechanism to finance Common Security and Defence Policy initiatives, and the Strategic Compass; which sets out the EU’s shared vision for Common Security and Defence Policy that was adopted in March 2022.
Ireland's Individually Tailored Partnership Programme (ITPP) with NATO for 2024-2028 under the Partnership for Peace has been agreed; and Government and Dáil approval was received in July 2023 for Ireland's participation in four European Defence Agency Projects.
In June 2023, the Department, in conjunction with the Department of Foreign Affairs, held the Consultative Forum on International Security Policy to build public understanding and generate discussions on Ireland’s foreign, security and defence policies. The Chair of the Forum delivered her Report to the Tánaiste in October 2023.
In April 2023, Government and Dáil approval was secured for the deployment of the Irish naval vessel W.B. YEATS, as part of the EU naval mission EUNAVFORMED Operation Irini. The core task of Operation Irini is to contribute to preventing arms trafficking within its agreed Area of Operation in accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolutions on the arms embargo on Libya. The Irish vessel with a crew of 58 personnel were in operation with the EU naval mission during June and July 2023.
In February 2023, the government approved the participation of up to 30 Defence Forces’ personnel in the newly established European Union Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine). The primary role of the Defence Forces is to provide training to members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF) in one or more EU Member States in which the training will take place. These trainers are supplemented by a small number of staff positions based in the Military Planning and Conduct Capability (MPCC) staff based in Brussels, Belgium and in the multinational Special Training Command (STC) in Strausberg, Germany. To date, Ireland has delivered training to approximately 455 UAF personnel across 11 training module iterations.
In January 2023, the Government approved the participation by the Defence Forces in the German-led EU Battlegroup in 2024/2025. This will be the eighth occasion on which the Defence Forces have been part of an EU Battlegroup and the first since 2020. The Battlegroup will be stood-up during 2024 and will be on standby throughout 2025.
As Minister for Defence, I chair the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning supported by the Office of Emergency Planning in my Department. Particular policy achievements in this area include publication of the National Risk Assessment for Ireland 2023 (which identifies and assesses the likelihood and impact of key risks facing the State across a broad range of emergencies) and the Strategic Emergency Management Framework Guideline Document 9 on Information Management. In July and November 2020, my Department saw the launch of the first "Be Summer Ready" and annual "Be Winter Ready" Government Information Campaigns. I also launched both the 2023 ‘Be Summer Ready’ Campaign, whose message was, “Think Water Safety - Plan and Prepare”, and the 2023/2024 ‘Be Winter Ready’ Campaign, which focused on, “Road Safety – Plan, Prepare, Be Aware.”
Following the EU Council Recommendation of 8 December 2022 on a Union-wide coordinated approach to strengthen the resilience of critical infrastructure, my Department has coordinated the stress testing of the energy sector in 2023. Work is underway in my Department to transpose the Critical Entities Resilience Directive into national law.
In 2023, my Department, in conjunction with the Shared Island Unit in the Department of the Taoiseach, hosted the 2nd annual All Island Disaster Risk Reduction Conference, which focused this year on the key topic of emergency communications.
As required under the Public Service Management Act the Strategy Statement for the Department of Defence and Defence Forces covering the period 2023 to 2026 was published in September 2023.
I am satisfied that significant progress is being made in implementing the Government’s ambitious programme for Defence and I look forward to ongoing delivery of key commitments.
131. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence when the tribunal of inquiry will publish its advice on legal representation for those wishing to engage with it, including the necessary information on assuming or defraying costs related to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28045/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra142. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if his Department is acting with all necessary alacrity to engage with the Women of Honour at this stage of matters involving the tribunal, in particular in the matter of the funding of independent legal advice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28320/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 131 and 142 together.
I signed the necessary Statutory Instrument to formally establish the Tribunal of Inquiry on 20 June 2024. The Tribunal will examine the effectiveness of the complaints processes in the Defence Forces concerning workplace issues relating to discrimination, bullying, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual misconduct. The Tribunal will also have the power to investigate the response to complaints made regarding the use of hazardous chemicals within Air Corps’ headquarters at Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel.
Ms. Justice Ann Power was appointed as the Sole Member of the Tribunal and delivered the Tribunal's Opening Statement at its first public sitting on Monday 24 June last. A transcript of this can be found on the Tribunal's website at at www.toidf.ie .
Decisions on the granting of legal representation are entirely a matter for the Tribunal and the application process is set out in the Rules of Procedure for the Tribunal which can also be found on the Tribunal's website. In this regard, the Rules of Procedure also address the issue of applications for costs.
132. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the ages of each of the horse box vehicles currently in use by the Defence Forces equitation school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28106/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the military authorities that details sought by the Deputy in relation to the equitation school vehicles are set out in tabular form below;
|
Vehicle type |
Year purchased |
|
Scania Transporter |
2012 |
|
Scania Transporter |
2019 |
|
2 Box |
2017 |
|
Ifor Williams Trailer |
2019 |
|
Ifor Williams Trailer |
2019 |
133. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if there are plans to purchase Boeing Chinook HC6 type of helicopter for the Air Corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28107/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the capabilities of the Defence Forces are maintained, developed and enhanced in order to ensure that the Defence Forces can carry out all of the roles assigned to it by Government.
New rotary wing capabilities are currently being advanced in the context of the Equipment Development Planning process, and to this end, the various work packages under the Detailed Implementation Plan for the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces have commenced which will inform future investment decisions.
There are no plans at present to purchase Boeing Chinook HC-6 type helicopters for the Air Corps.
134. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if the Air Corps command used the confidentiality of the family law courts to hide domestic violence convictions by serving officers and not act to dismiss them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28154/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, family law cases are held in-camera due to the nature of these proceedings and the confidentiality applied to the parties involved in such cases. Accordingly, I am advised that the Air Corps HQ is not aware of the details of such cases.
135. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if it is standard procedure for members of the Defence Forces to be suspended while either being under investigation or being prosecuted for violent offences or otherwise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28160/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish again to express my unequivocal condemnation of any form of gender-based violence. Such behaviour has no place in a modern society or in the Defence Forces.
It is also important that I note at the outset the pride we share in the vast majority of the men and women of the Defence Forces who serve the nation so admirably at home and on peacekeeping missions abroad. The actions of a minority completely go against the values of the Defence Forces and have no place in a modern workplace, particularly an organisation which is there to protect.
While there is no specific mechanism for suspension in the Defence Forces legislation, the Defence Forces have other leave mechanisms including, for example, local leave arrangements, which have been used.
I have issued an instruction for the placement with immediate effect, of serving personnel in the Defence Forces who are either convicted of sexual assault or rape and awaiting discharge, or currently before the courts for such offences, to be put on local leave, on a without prejudice basis. The ability to take this measure is already captured in Defence Force Regulations and I have been absolutely clear that it must be applied uniformly in all such cases.
I have appointed Peter Ward SC to undertake a high level analysis of the application of military law in circumstances where personnel have been convicted of serious offences in the civil courts. Mr Ward will be asked to come back with an outcome of this high-level analysis along with any recommendations and any enhanced powers that may be necessary.
136. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the current strength of the Defence Forces; his targets for recruitment; the year by which he intends to reach the Level of Ambition 2 requirement of 11,500 personnel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28162/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs of the 31 May 2024, the strength of the Permanent Defence Force stood at 7,447 personnel.
As the Deputy is aware, as one of the recommendations from the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces, Government approved a move, over a six-year period, to a level of Permanent Defence Force capability equivalent to Level of Ambition 2. This will require an additional 2,000 personnel by 2028, including a civilian component, beyond the 9,500 establishment figure that was in place at the time of the Commission’s report.
While induction numbers fluctuate from year to year, Budget 2024 allocated €1.23 billion for the Defence Sector, which included a provision for the recruitment and training of a net additional 400 personnel in 2024.
I have fully acknowledged the current staffing challenges in the Defence Forces, and work is ongoing to counter these. A range of recruitment measures, along with financial and non-financial retention incentives which include significant progress on pay and allowances, have been implemented to address such challenges.
137. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the timeframe in which the recommendations of the Comptroller & Auditor General’s 2014 report on stock management in the Defence Forces will be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28163/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2022, the C&AG commenced an examination of stocks held by the Defence Forces to assess the adequacy of the controls in place to manage, value and correctly account for that stock, with a particular focus on the implementation of the 2014 Dunning report recommendations. Following on from that examination, the Comptroller & Auditor General’s (C&AG) report on the Accounts of the Public Services 2022, published in September 2023, included a chapter on stock management in the Defence Forces.
The C&AG report included six recommendations, as follows –
The full implementation of the remaining Dunning report recommendations should be actioned in a timely manner. An implementation plan with delivery targets and milestones should be put in place. [Note: At the time of the C&AG Report in September 2023, 21 of the 27 Dunning recommendations had been fully implemented, with significant work undertaken on the other six. Since then, a further 3 recommendations have been finalised and the remaining 3 are comprehended by recommendations 2, 3 and 4 below.]
The Department should carry out an evaluation of the current data cleansing and codification process, including the classification of assets to identify the factors giving rise to ongoing misclassification; and update the related guidance to ensure that stock and assets are correctly classified in future and that stock issued for use is removed from store account records accordingly.
Periodic (e.g. annual) reviews should be undertaken to ensure that the policy requirements are being actioned as intended and to ensure that all elements of the policy continue to suit the current and future needs of the Defence Forces.
The recommendations arising from the review of the stores set-up should be actioned on a timely basis. Also, the need to maintain a large number of low value store accounts should be assessed periodically.
A more widespread review of the stores should be undertaken to establish the underlying factors impacting the timely, physical disposal of all stock items and an action plan put in place to address the factors identified.
An additional control should be introduced, whereby the disposal of sensitive military items is formally certified on a timely basis by members of the relevant Board of Survey before these items are written off the stock management system. The disposal regulations should be updated to reflect these requirements.
A Working Group, including members of the Department and the Defence Forces, has been set up to oversee implementation of these recommendations, with significant work already completed. Full implementation of recommendations 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 is expected by the end of 2024. Implementation of recommendation 4, i.e. changing the stores set-up, will be actioned after the completion of the review of the structure of the Defence Forces recommended by the Commission on the Defence Forces. A timeframe for the completion of that review is currently not available.
