Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 February 2026
159. Deputy Aisling Dempsey asked the Minister for Defence the way in which she will ensure that the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service become services, have service headquarters, and have parity of esteem. [12381/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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 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.
Last week, I published the second Detailed Implementation Plan for the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces. 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 approved by Government.
There are a number of Government approved Commission recommendations contained in the report in relation to high level command and control and HQ structures. In relation to the Air Corps and the Naval Service, the Commission on the Defence Forces stated "Given the importance of service parity, the names of both should change to the Air Force and the Navy respectively." As part of the legislation on Command and Control (C2), it is proposed to change the name of the Air Corps to the Air Force and the Naval Service to the Navy and that there would be parity of esteem between all the services.
The Commission on the Defence Forces also recommended "The Chief of Defence to initiate an immediate force design process assisted by external experts with access to international military expertise, and to include a detailed force design process." The Defence Forces have established three Force Design teams within the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps and an overarching Strategic Force Design office has also been established to look at the design of a Strategic HQ.
On completion of the force design work by the Defence Forces, the Chief of Staff will submit a report on Force Design to me for review. This is complicated and challenging work which we need to get right to ensure that we design a modern force which is fit for purpose for future generations. What is important for me as Minister is that any force design process will include a transitional plan with incremental steps beyond current numbers to the 11,500 force recommended by the Commission on the Defence Forces.
As you will appreciate, this is a significant piece of work and will need a concerted effort by all involved. I have confidence that the structures that have been put in place will ensure the successful delivery of a modern, fit-for-purpose Defence Forces.
