Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 June 2025
16. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the progress being made to establish independent command structures for the Air Corps and the Naval Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30561/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Commission on the Defence Forces recommended in its 2022 report 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.
The Detailed Implementation Plan for the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces 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.
There are a number of Government approved, Commission recommendations contained in the report in relation to high level command and control. Work has been ongoing on these Command and Control changes including the governance and oversight arrangements. A second Memorandum for Government in relation to high level command and control was approved in July 2024 to prepare the necessary legislation on Command and Control (C2). This work is significant, complex and sensitive involving a fundamental review of the current regulatory framework governing the relationship between the Minister for Defence, the Defence Forces and the Department of Defence. This work is on-going with the intention to have heads of bill presented to the Government in near future.
Currently, military command is delegated from the Minister for Defence (on behalf of the Government) to five separate high ranking military Officers commanding Army Brigade units, the Naval Service and Air Corps (all Brigadier General rank). The Commission on the Defence Forces also recommended "The Army, Air Corps and Naval Service should become services, have service headquarters and have parity of esteem".
I have confidence that the structures that have been put in place, coupled with progress to date, will ensure the successful delivery of the transformation effort.
