Written Answers Nos. 222-234
222. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which Ireland through its membership of the United Nations Security Council or otherwise is making a priority list of human rights abuses on a worldwide basis with an indication of retribution in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49419/22]
View answerI thank the Deputy for his question and am pleased to refer him to my previous responses to parliamentary questions no [4176/22] dated the 27th January 2022, no [15001/22] dated the 22nd March 2022, and no [33539/22] dated 23 June 2022.
The human rights situation in any particular country is unique in its character, scale and complexity, and a universally agreed global ranking does not exist. My Department can provide any details required in relation to individual countries of specific concern.
In our bilateral, EU and multilateral engagement, Ireland continues to strongly advocate for the promotion and protect human rights as a key foreign policy priority.
223. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason that the international community has forgotten the former leader of Myanmar who was previously accorded worldwide praise and recognition of their work in what is clearly an undemocratic society; if the international community might come to their aid given their imprisonment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49420/22]
View answerI remain deeply concerned by the deteriorating security, humanitarian and human rights situation in Myanmar. The brutal campaign by the military has had devastating consequences for the people of Myanmar. I utterly condemn the coup and attempts to consolidate or legitimise the military regime.
Ireland remains concerned by the continued detainment and politically-motivated verdicts against Aung San Suu Kyi, President Win Myint and others in Myanmar. These verdicts represent another step towards the dismantling of the rule of law in Myanmar.
Recently, the courts sentenced Aung San Suu Kyi to further years imprisonment with hard labour, on charges of electoral fraud, meaning that she is facing a cumulative sentence of 23 years, with further cases outstanding. These trials have been held behind closed doors and appear to be an attempt to exclude Aung San Suu Kyi and democratically elected leaders from future political engagement in Myanmar, contrary to the inclusive approach called for by ASEAN's five-point consensus.
I also deplore the execution of four pro democracy activists in July. Ireland is unequivocal in its stance against the death penalty and condemns these killings in the strongest terms. My thoughts are with the families of those executed.
In our capacity as member of the United Nations Security Council, through our EU engagement and through national statements and activity, Ireland has repeatedly condemned the coup, called for the immediate release of detainees, and expressed abhorrence at the indefensible killing of unarmed civilians, the use of military weaponry, sexual violence, torture, and the death penalty by the military regime. The Government also strongly supports the EU's adoption of sanctions against the perpetrators of the coup and the economic entities that sustain them.
225. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent of Irelands bilateral aid and multilateral aid programme at present; when it is expected to meet the previously identified targets in overseas development aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49422/22]
View answerIn Budget 2023, the Government allocated a total of €1.22 billion for Official Development Assistance (ODA). This is the highest ever allocation, representing an increase of 17% on 2022. It includes an increase of €100 million for the international development programme administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs.
In the context of serious budgetary pressures, this increased allocation is an important statement by the Government, of Ireland's solidarity with least developed countries. It will enable us to maintain Ireland's strong focus on the impact of hunger, conflict, disease and climate change on the most vulnerable communities globally.
The allocation to ODA for 2022 is €1.044 billion, which represented an increase of 20% on the previous year.
These significant increases reflect the Government's commitment to the international target of providing 0.7% of GNI in ODA. The percentage for the current year will be calculated next year, when full ODA eligible spending has been agreed in a statistical exercise conducted to agreed OECD standards. Preliminary figures will be published by the OECD in April 2023.
Based on this verified statistical analysis, the Department of Foreign Affairs publishes an Annual Report on how Ireland's ODA programme is being channelled to deliver on the priorities articulated in A Better World. The report for 2021 will be published in the coming weeks. It provides a breakdown of multilateral and bilateral aid funding for 2021 and 2020 across Departments, as in the following table.
|
|
2021 |
2020 |
|
Bilateral |
|
|
|
Dept. of Foreign Affairs – Vote 27 |
442.27 |
417.20 |
|
Other Government Departments |
74.46 |
40.88 |
|
Total Bilateral ODA |
516.73 |
458.08 |
|
Multilateral |
||
|
Dept. of Foreign Affairs – Vote 27 |
126.45 |
127.90 |
|
Other Government Departments and Contributions to the EU Development Cooperation Budget |
332.96 |
281.55 |
|
Total Multilateral ODA |
459.41 |
409.45 |
|
Total ODA |
976.14 |
867.53 |
226. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Defence if he will confirm the contracts that his Department has with top security. [49262/22]
View answerI confirm that my Department has no contracts with Top Security.
227. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Defence if he will publish the complete list of capital works planned following the announcement of an additional €35 million in capital funding in Budget 2023. [49052/22]
View answerI would like to thank the Deputy for affording me the opportunity to highlight the significant investments we have made in Defence Forces built infrastructure. In 2022, we provided a record level of money to support and improve the building stock. We are going even further in 2023, with an allocation for next year of €55m, the biggest yearly allocation towards the building programme since the 2008 economic crash.
The Defence Forces Infrastructure Development Plan (IDP) sets out a programme of anticipated project delivery based on the achievement of the high-level goals as set out in White Paper 2015. The Plan is iterative in nature thus ensuring that it remains relevant and that investment is targeted where most needed. In that regard, a midterm review of the Plan has commenced. When this review is completed, the projects to be progressed in the coming 5 years will be made available .
Despite ongoing pressures facing the construction sector from the war in Ukraine and the lingering effects of the global pandemic, 2022 was a largely positive year with a number of significant capital projects under construction at a combined value of some €23m.
- Refurbishment of Block 8, Haulbowline
- Upgrade of the Former USAC Building, Renmore
- Cadet School HQ, Defence Forces Training Centre
- Upgrade to Barracks HQ, McKee Barracks
- Provision of an Equipment Storage Facility
- Remediation of Spencer Jetty, Haulbowline
In addition to the above, the completion of the upgrade and refurbishment works to Block H in McKee Barracks is expected in the coming weeks. This project, which involves significant refurbishment of a protected building, will on completion provide single living in accommodation for Defence Forces personnel.
The Deputy may wish to note that there are currently over €100m worth of projects underway at different stages of development. I can assure the Deputy that the programme will receive the required capital funding as the building activities increase over the lifetime of the Programme.
228. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Defence if his Department has any contracts with a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49161/22]
View answerI am advised that neither my Department nor any of the bodies under the aegis of my Department have contracts with the specified company.
229. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Defence the name, function and establishment date of all the organisations and agencies that are funded by his Department; the number of employees in each; the salary of the chief executive in each organisation and agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49181/22]
View answerThe only State body under the aegis of the Department of Defence is the Army Pensions Board. The Army Pensions Board is an independent statutory body established under the Army Pensions Act 1927. The Act specifies that the Board shall consist of a chairman and two ordinary members. The two ordinary members must be qualified medical practitioners of whom one must be an officer of the Army Medical Corps. The chairman and the non military ordinary member are appointed by the Minister for Defence with the concurrence of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. The Army Medical Corps ordinary member is appointed by the Minister for Defence on the recommendation of the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces.
The Secretary of the Army Pensions Board is an Executive Officer in my Department.
The salary of the Chairman of the Board is €7,618.
230. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which steps are ongoing to progress the recently published report on the future of the Defence Forces with particular reference to the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49423/22]
View answer231. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the steps that are being taken to date towards the implementation of the Review of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49424/22]
View answer232. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which precise action has been taken, is due to be taken or is ongoing in respect of each branch of the Defence Forces, Army, Naval Services and Air Corps with a view to the early implmentation of the report on the future of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49425/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 230, 231 and 232 together.
The Commission on the Defence Forces was established on foot of a commitment in the Programme for Government, and I, as Minister for Defence, welcomed the publication of the report of the Commission on 9th February last. The Commission has undertaken a significant body of work, encompassing wide-ranging terms of reference. It recommends significant changes for the Defence Forces and Defence provision in Ireland. It covers high level Defence Forces structures, defence capabilities, organisation, culture and human resources, the Reserve Defence Force and funding.
Given the significant recommendations contained in the Report, detailed consideration of these recommendations was undertaken over a period of 5 months by my Department and the Defence Forces. This involved significant inter-departmental consultation, and I and my officials have engaged with key stakeholders to ascertain their views. Following this engagement, I returned to Government with a High Level Action Plan and a Memo for Government which were approved on 12 July this year. As part of this, Government approved a move over a six-year period to a level of Defence Forces’ capability equivalent to ‘Level of Ambition 2’ (LOA2), as set out in the capability framework devised by the Commission, which will entail funding increases to reach a defence budget of c. €1.5 billion (at January 2022 prices) by 2028 through the annual Estimates process.
The High Level Action Plan set out proposed implementation and oversight structures, and the Implementation Oversight Group met for the first time on 3 October. A civil/military Implementation Management Office (IMO) has been established to support the implementation of the overall transformation programme required to implement recommendations from the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces. The initial focus of the IMO is the implementation of the 38 early actions as set out in the High Level Action Plan and the development of an Implementation Plan. Reporting mechanisms have been established to facilitate regular progress reports on the early actions to the IMO and the civil/military Strategic Management Committee.
233. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the degree to which Army pay, conditions, and strength of the army is in progress or otherwise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49426/22]
View answerThe Deputy may be aware that a range of actions have been taken to address pay and conditions of staff in the Defence Forces, and the recent Report of the Commission on Defence Forces also makes a range of recommendations in this area. The Report proposes significant changes, including to the level of Defence provision in Ireland and recommendations in relation to capacity components required to achieve that provision. This includes, inter alia, consideration of morale, recruitment and retention matters. The Government’s High-Level Action Plan (HLAP), launched in July, set out proposed timelines and oversight arrangements for its implementation, and identifies a number of pay-related recommendations for progression, including the intention to progress implementation of the following:
- Removing the requirement for a 3 Star Private/Able Seaman to ‘mark time’ for the first three years at that rank;
- Ensuring that all personnel of Private 3 Star/Able Seaman rank are paid the full rate of MSA applicable to the rank;
- Providing immediate access to the Sea-going Service Commitment Scheme to direct entry personnel in the Navy.
I am pleased to announce that following consultation with my colleague the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, my Department can now proceed to implement the first two early actions, the removal of Marked Time and the payment of the full rate of MSA. This will result in the pay rates for Private 3 Star/Able Seaman in their first three years of service starting at €34,798 in Year 1, €36,128 in Year 2, and €37,353 in Year 3.
A number of other remunerative elements have been prioritised in the HLAP, including a commitment to commence further evaluation of:
- Replacing the existing sea-going allowances with less complex sea-going duty measures;
- Introducing Long Service Increments to the pay scales of all ranks of enlisted personnel;
- On the basis that all personnel should, in the first instance, be paid the full rate of MSA applicable to their rank, MSA should be abolished and the full applicable rate integrated into core pay.
The HLAP also states a commitment to commence examination of options in relation to a mechanism for review of existing specialist pay rates and allowances. A review will also commence of existing sea-going allowances to consider their replacement with less complex measures.
Separately, and specifically in terms of pay scales, the Defence Forces are paid increases in pay and allowances in line with Public Service pay agreements.
The Deputy may be aware that the current pay agreement, Building Momentum, provides for the following increases in 2022, namely:
- The equivalent of a 1% increase in annualised basic salaries to be used as a Sectoral Bargaining Fund, in accordance with Chapter 2 of the Agreement, on 1 February 2022 last.
- A general round increase in annualised basic salaries for all public servants of 1% or €500, whichever is greater, on 1 October 2022. Fixed periodic pensionable allowances and allowances in the nature of pay also increased by 1% on this date.
The recently agreed, but yet to be balloted on, extension to this Building Momentum agreement, provides for further increases in pay and allowances to all public servants, including members of the Defence Forces, under this pay deal. This extension provides for a 6.5 % increase, in addition to existing Building Momentum arrangements, as follows:
- 3%, backdated to 2nd Feb 2022
- 2 % on 1st March 2023
- 1.5% or €750, whichever is the greater, on 1st October 2023.
Pensionable allowances in the nature of pay will also benefit.
In addition to general round pay increases arising out of ongoing national pay agreements, members of the Permanent Defence Forces have also benefitted from the implementation of increases in Defence Forces allowances, as recommended by the Public Service Pay Commission in 2019.
It is also important to note that for those Defence Force personnel who have specialist appointments, based on training or qualifications, there are a range additional allowances available to them.
All of these measures will have a further positive impact on the pay and conditions of Defence Forces personnel.
In terms of the Defence Forces strength, As at 31 August, 2022, the most recent date that figures are to hand, the strength of the Defence Forces was as follows:
- PDF was 8,146 personnel (establishment strength 9,500)
- Army was 6,621 personnel (establishment strength 7,520)
- Air Corps was 704 personnel (establishment strength 886)
- Naval Service was 821 personnel (establishment strength 1,094)
As Minister, my focus remains on restoring all branches of the Defence Forces to the current agreed strength.
I remain committed to maximising recruitment and retention of personnel, both male and female, to maintain the capacity of the Defence Forces to operate effectively across all roles and to undertake the tasks laid down by Government.
234. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the degree to which the Air Corps is in the course of being modernised and upgraded in line with other defence forces throughout the European Union in order to combat any imminent threat; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49427/22]
View answer235. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which action is imminent to ensure the upgrading of the Naval Service in line with requirements and potential threats from whatever quarter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49428/22]
View answer236. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps are being modernised and upgraded to ensure the best possible response in the event of an incursion from whatever quarter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49429/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 234, 235 and 236 together.
My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service is maintained and developed. This is to enable the Defence Forces to carry out the roles assigned by Government, as set out in the White Paper on Defence.
In this context, the principal aim over the period of the White Paper is to replace and upgrade, as required, existing capabilities in order to retain a flexible response for a wide range of operational requirements at home and overseas.
Equipment priorities for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service are being considered as part of the capability development and Equipment Development Planning (EDP) process. A five year Equipment Development Plan for continued re-equipment was developed on a civil military basis and was published in June 2020. The Equipment Planning process recognises the need to maintain and upgrade military capabilities having regard to emerging priorities, operational requirements and changes in technology. This is an ongoing iterative process.
There are a number of defensive equipment acquisition and upgrade projects for which there will be capital expenditure in the coming years. These include the midlife upgrade of the Army's fleet of 80 Mowag Piranha III Armoured Personnel Carrier vehicles which is well underway as well as the completion of the delivery of an additional 30 Armoured Utility Vehicles. The Army's non-armoured fleet continues to be updated also with over 220 vehicles due for delivery in 2022.
In relation to air-based capability, the programme for the supply of two C295 Maritime Patrol Aircraft is well underway with delivery of the aircraft expected in 2023. Alongside the recently acquired PC-12 aircraft some €276 million, including VAT, has been committed to the acquisition of all of these enhanced capabilities.
The Naval Service Vessel Renewal and Replacement Programme is ongoing and the programme includes radar and other equipment upgrades along with the replacement of Naval Service Reserve motor launches. The programme of works for the midlife refit and upgrade of LÉ Róisín has been completed, while works are ongoing on LÉ Niamh. Marine Advisors have been appointed to support the procurement of multi-role vessel to replace the flagship, LÉ Eithne, with work underway that will inform a public tender competition in due course. Two Inshore Patrol Vessels have been purchased from the New Zealand Government to replace LÉ Orla and LÉ Ciara, it is expected these vessels will be transported to Ireland in 2023 following the completion of a programme of works.
The Commission on the Defence Forces was established on foot of a commitment in the Programme for Government, and I, as Minister for Defence, welcomed the publication of the report of the Commission on 9th February last. The Commission has undertaken a significant body of work, encompassing wide-ranging terms of reference. It recommends significant changes for the Defence Forces and Defence provision in Ireland. It covers high level Defence Forces structures, defence capabilities, organisation, culture and human resources, the Reserve Defence Force and funding.
In July Government approval was given for a move to ‘Level of Ambition 2’ (LOA2), as set out in the capability framework devised by the Commission on the Defence Forces. This will result in the Defence budget rising from €1.1 billion to €1.5 billion, in 2022 prices, by 2028, the largest increase in Defence funding in the history of the State. This will allow for the required substantial transformation and investment in recruitment and equipment that were identified by the Commission. The recent Budget for 2023 included an increase of €67m over the 2022 budget for Defence. This includes an almost 25% increase in Capital funding and demonstrates the Government’s strong commitment to support the transformation of the Defence Forces into a modern, agile military force, capable of responding to increasingly complex security threats.
