Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 January 2026
271. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Defence for an update on the Implementation Plan for the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3536/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Commission on the Defence Forces was established on foot of a commitment in the Programme for Government, and its report was published on the 9th of February 2022.
There were 130 recommendations in total, comprising 69 main recommendations, with 61 further sub recommendations. The Commission recommended significant changes for the Defence Forces and Defence provision in Ireland. It covered high-level Defence Forces structures, defence capabilities, organisation, culture and human resources, the Reserve Defence Force and funding.
Given the significant recommendations contained in the Report, detailed consideration of these recommendations was undertaken with a High Level Action Plan (HLAP) and a Memo for Government brought to Government and approved on July 12th 2022. This involved the approval of a move to ‘Level of Ambition 2’ (LOA2) by 2028, 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 €1.7billion, as per capital allocation under the National Development Plan (2026–2030), 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 Detailed Implementation Plan for the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces, was published on 21 November 2023.
Much progress has been achieved since the Commission’s report was published, with 48 recommendations now fully implemented. The recommendations implemented to-date have had a significant impact on members of the Defence Forces.
The following achievements have been delivered in the past year alone:
• The blanket exclusion of the Defence Forces from the Working Time Directive has been removed
• Revised ATCP priorities, structures and resources have been implemented
• Regular climate and continuous attitude surveys have been conducted and continue on an ongoing basis
• A Non-financial ‘labour hours budget’ was introduced
• Phase 1 of the Sub Sea Domain Awareness (SSDA) Contract was awarded
• A public consultation on Ireland’s first Maritime Security Strategy was launched, as part of the preparation of the Strategy
• Additional Civil and Military assignments were made to the Capability Development Unit, deepening the knowledge and experience within the unit for delivery of key projects
• The delivery of a third C295 aircraft
• The arrival of a new Strategic Reach Aircraft
• The increased use of Direct Entry Recruitment into Specialist Posts in the Permanent Defence Forces
• The establishment of the Office of Veteran Affairs
The Updated Detailed Implementation Plan for the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces is currently being finalised. I intend to present it to the Government in the coming weeks, after which it will be published.
