Cathal Crowe
Question:28. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Defence if his Department has investigated alleged far-right activism in the Defence Forces. [23442/22]
View answerThursday, 12 May 2022
Questions (28)
Written answers
I have been advised by the Military Authorities that the Defence Forces gathers information for the protection of the security of the State and also for the force protection and security of the Defence Forces at home and abroad. Intelligence assessments are regularly produced on perceived and emerging security threats. The nature of intelligence activities is confidential; therefore, it would not be prudent to discuss such matters further.
The Constitution and the Defence Acts enshrine the governance of the Defence sector.
Under the provisions of the Defence Act, members of the Permanent Defence Force are prohibited from being members of a political organisation and members of the Reserve Defence Force are prohibited from political activities when called out on permanent service or when deployed on supplemental military service.
Finally, the Deputy will be aware that the Defence Forces have a Social Media Policy in place and personnel in breach of this policy are subject to disciplinary action, in accordance with Military Law.