Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 February 2021
149. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Defence the reason for reviewing the Defence Forces in isolation via a stand-alone commission; the reason a review of national defence and security as a whole is not being undertaken; the selection criteria for the membership of the commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10728/21]
View answerThe Programme for Government committed to an independent Commission to undertake a comprehensive review of the Defence Forces and include the following matters;
- Arrangements for the effective defence of the country at land, air and sea.
- Structures for governance, joint command, and control structures.
- The brigade structure.
- Pay and allowances and composition of the Defence Forces.
- Recruitment, retention and career progression.
- The contribution of the Reserve Defence Forces, including its legislation and Defence Forces regulations governing it, and whether specialists from the RDF should be able to serve overseas.
This independent Commission on the Defence Forces was established by Government in December 2020, with a mandate to report within 12 months. The Government also approved the Terms of Reference, based on the Programme for Government, and the membership of the Commission. As part of a broader consultation process, the Commission has launched its website and has invited submissions from individuals and organisations on issues relevant to its Terms of Reference.
The members of the Commission have been carefully chosen to ensure the optimum range of expertise in key areas. The Commission is chaired by Aidan O'Driscoll, a former Secretary General in the Department of Agriculture and, more recently, in the Department of Justice and Equality. The 14 other members have a broad range of experience and expertise both nationally and internationally. Their areas of expertise cover a wide range of disciplines particularly suited to the work of the Commission including public policy, defence and foreign policy, military operations, and with significant leadership experience in the public and private sectors.
Separately the Department of Defence is the subject of an Organisational Capability Review in accordance with the approach being taken under the Government's approach to Civil Service Renewal and to be completed by the end of this year.
