Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 June 2025
231. Deputy Maeve O'Connell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to report on any stakeholder engagement that has or will take place towards the goal of modernising the Defence Forces governance in line with international best practice. [31706/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister, 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 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.
Much progress has been achieved since the Report on the Commission of the Defence Forces was published in 2022, with 43 recommendations completed to date and many others near completion. Government noted that, in light of the Commission’s report, there is an urgent need for HR and cultural transformation in the Defence Forces and this has been prioritised.
There are a number of Government approved Commission recommendations contained in the report in relation to high level command and control and structures which impact on governance. 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 the near future.
The Commission in their report stated "The Commission understands that these proposals, and in particular the creation of a CHOD, will impact significantly on current governance structures, and recognises therefore, that the future governance and oversight framework of the Minister and the Department of Defence will need to be redesigned to provide effective assurance and accountability. This area is beyond the Terms of Reference of the Commission and is not therefore further developed in this report."
The legislation currently under consideration is looking at these governance structures and how they can be enhanced in the context of command being delegated to the head of the Defence Forces and the overall transformation of the Defence Forces.
My Department has looked at other countries defence governance and this has helped inform their deliberations. Each country's governance structure is unique but there are insights to be gained from such analysis.
There will be engagement with relevant stakeholders including the Oireachtas, the Representative Associations and the External Oversight Body. The legislative process for the forthcoming changes on Command and Control include the pre legislative scrutiny of draft heads of Bill by the Oireachtas Committee on Defence and National Security. This will cover elements of Governance with work continuing on the modernising of Defence Forces Governance as part of the transformation of the Defence Forces as set out in the Strategic Framework.
A great deal of work still needs to be done and it will need concerted effort by all involved.
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.
