Legislative Measures

Tuesday, 12 December 2023

Questions (186, 187)

Matt Carthy

Question:

186. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the changes he intends to propose to the Defence Acts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54726/23]

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187. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the timeframe in which he intends to introduce legislation and pass legislation in relation to the Defence Acts; the timeframe in which a heads of Bill will be published; if he intends to allow conduct a public consultation and allow for pre-legislative scrutiny in advance of such; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54727/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Defence (Deputy Micheál Martin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 186 and 187 together.

As set out in the Strategic Framework for the transformation of the Defence Forces, my Department is progressing two Bills to amend the Defence Acts.

I expect to bring the General Scheme of the first Bill to Government shortly. In summary, this Bill will:

• establish the External Oversight Body of the Defence Forces on a statutory basis in line with a recommendation of the Independent Review Group on dignity and equality issues in the Defence Forces;

• address the longer-term associate membership of ICTU for the representative associations for the Permanent Defence Force;

• update other miscellaneous provisions of the Defence Acts to address issues that have been identified.

Subject to the approval of Government, it is intended that the General Scheme will be published and be referred to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence for pre-legislative scrutiny in accordance with Dáil Standing Order 174A.

A second Bill will also be advanced in 2024. In summary, this Bill will amend the Defence Acts to give effect to certain recommendations of the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces, the Report of the Independent Review Group on the Defence Forces and to address other matters.

As I indicated in my statement to the Dáil on 22 November 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.

Question No. 187 answered with Question No. 186.