Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 May 2022
88. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Defence the measures that his Department is taking to reduce this nation’s dependence on the UK to defend our sovereignty particularly now when we are celebrating a centenary of our independence from the UK; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26921/22]
View answerThe Commission on the Defence Forces was established on foot of a commitment in the Programme for Government and the Government decision in December 2020 which also agreed its terms of reference and membership. The report was published on the 9th February 2022.
The establishment of the Commission underpins the Government’s commitment to ensuring that the Defence Forces are fit for purpose, both in terms of meeting immediate requirements and also in terms of seeking to develop a longer term vision for beyond 2030.
The Commission undertook a significant body of work encompassing their wide-ranging terms of reference. The report contains 69 main recommendations with a large number of sub recommendations. The Commission's terms of reference included the consideration of appropriate capabilities, structures and staffing for the Army, the Air Corps, the Naval Service.
The report proposes significant changes for the Defence Forces, including to Defence Forces culture, high-level command and control structures, and for the level of Defence provision in Ireland. Clearly, there are matters that require careful consideration and in some critical aspects inter-departmental discussion. This includes the level of resourcing that may be allocated to Defence, legislative implications and the governance framework that will be required to underpin any changes the Government approve on foot of the Commission's report.
The report is being fully considered, in consultation with Ministerial colleagues and other stakeholders. The intent is that following relevant consideration, and before the summer recess, I will revert to Government with a proposed response to the Commission's recommendations and a high-level action plan. This high level plan will set out proposed timelines and oversight arrangements for its implementation.
Providing for the Defence of the State is a fundamental role of any Government and I firmly believe that this is an opportunity to have a mature debate around the type of defence provision that we require and I am very much open to such a discussion. Current events are highlighting the importance of such a debate.
