Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 January 2022
116. Deputy Cathal Berry asked the Minister for Defence the position regarding the Commission on the Defence Forces report; when this report is expected to be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3898/22]
View answer132. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide an update on the work of the Commission on the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3186/22]
View answer151. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Defence when the Commission on the Defence Forces will report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3769/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 116, 132 and 151 together.
The Programme for Government committed to the establishment of an independent commission to undertake a comprehensive review of the Defence Forces. The independent Commission on the Defence Forces was established by Government in December 2020 and its terms of reference provide for their examining and making recommendations regarding the structures and size of the Defence Forces, defence capabilities, HR polices and strategies, the Reserve Defence Force, governance and high level command and control in the Defence Forces, and pay structures. The Commission’s overall approach is guided and informed by both the White Paper on Defence 2015 and the White Paper Update 2019. The work of the Commission will inform the future development of the Defence Forces
As part of a broad consultation process, the Commission invited submissions from individuals and organisations on matters related to its terms of reference. The Commission received nearly 500 submissions, all of which have been published on their website.
The Commission has met with a broad stakeholder group including the Defence Forces Representative Associations, commissioned and enlisted members of the Defence Forces, senior officials and personnel from my Department and the Defence Forces as well as other groups. Members of the Commission also conducted site visits to military locations across the country, meeting nearly 1,000 military personnel. In addition the Commission held two webinars, one in conjunction with the Royal Irish Academy (RIA) and one in conjunction with the Institute of International and European Affairs (IIEA).
The Commission are finalising their work with a view to completing their report as soon as possible. At that point the report will be fully considered. Given the significant issues provided for in the Commission’s terms of reference, there will be a requirement for consultation with Ministerial colleagues on any matters that fall within their remit, and to consider the legal and governance implications of the Commission’s recommendations where required. I will also be seeking the views of my Department and the Defence Forces. When these deliberations are completed I intend to revert to Government with a proposed plan of action.
As the Deputy will appreciate, in advance of the publication of the report and the subsequent consideration of its recommendations, it would be inappropriate for me to engage in speculation regarding any of the Commission’s potential recommendations or the response to those recommendations.
