Written Answers Nos. 61-76
62. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the progress in relation to plans for the protection of critical State infrastructure in the coming months and years, including against cyber and hybrid attacks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4385/23]
View answerAs Minister for Defence, I chair the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning (GTF) supported by the Office of Emergency Planning (OEP) in my Department. A subgroup of the GTF was assigned responsibility to develop guidance on critical infrastructure resilience in 2017. The subgroup produced the first guideline document on critical infrastructure resilience in February 2019. This document was subsequently revised and updated in July 2021.
While the primary responsibility for safeguarding critical infrastructure rests with its owner or operator, the guideline document provides the methodology for operators of essential services to follow to enhance their resilience. It also outlines that it is the responsibility of each government department to foster links and work closely with the semi-state and private sector operators of critical infrastructure, in their respective policy areas, to enhance the protection of critical infrastructure from a wide variety of threats.
The OEP is also the focal point for the new European Critical Entities Resilience Directive, published on 27 December 2022, which aims to enhance the resilience of critical entities that provide services essential for vital societal functions or economic activities in the internal market. This Directive creates a framework to support Member States in ensuring that critical entities are able to prevent, resist, absorb and recover from disruptive incidents, whether they are caused by natural hazards, accidents, terrorism, insider threats, or public health emergencies. Because of its role as focal point for this new Directive, the OEP also ensures that information concerning the resilience of critical entities is communicated in appropriate ways to Government Departments and sectors of relevance. This includes advisories for the information of operators of essential services and critical infrastructure as and when required.
Given the international context, it is clear that good practice necessitates national authorities across the European Union ensure the resilience of their critical infrastructure. Therefore, it is the Government position that it is prudent for operators of critical infrastructure to examine and enhance their resilience by increasing their physical security arrangements. An advisory has been issued from the OEP in my Department to that effect.
Also of note is that the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces continue to engage with the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications in relation to the protection of Ireland’s offshore energy infrastructure and data cables. While the Defence Forces have limited sub-sea capabilities, enhanced maritime patrolling of the Irish Sea in the vicinity of priority offshore energy infrastructure is taking place. The enhanced patrolling is being conducted by a mixture of air and naval platforms.
On a final point, my Department works closely on Cyber and Hybrid issues with the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications and the Department of Foreign Affairs respectively.
65. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the progress to date in the implementation of the Working Time Directive in the Defence Forces; if he intends to apply the Directive to the Defence Forces in the same way as it is applied to An Garda Síochána, the Prison Service and other public sector organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5154/23]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the Defence Forces are currently excluded from the provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997, which transposed the EU Working Time Directive into Irish Law. The Government, however, has committed to amending this Act and bringing both the Defence Forces and An Garda Síochana within the scope of its provisions, where appropriate.
The responsibility for preparing the legislative framework required to bring the Defence Forces within the scope of the Act is with the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment. My officials are continuing to engage actively with that Department to progress these changes.
A significant amount of work undertaken by military management has determined that a high percentage of the normal everyday work of the Defence Forces is already in compliance with the Working Time Directive. However, it has also been determined that there are some activities which may be outside the scope of the Directive, due to their very specific nature.
Extensive deliberations between the Department of Defence and the military authorities on these matters have been informed by the interpretation of recent European Case Law on military service, as well as the fundamental requirement to ensure that rights are afforded to serving members, while ensuring that the Defence Forces can continue to fulfill their essential state functions. In this regard, I am pleased to note that dialogue on a proposed management position, has commenced with the Representative Associations. A number of issues raised, are actively being examined by civilian-military management, and it would therefore be inappropriate for me to comment further at this point.
Upon conclusion of the dialogue with the Representative Associations for the Defence Forces, the final management position will be submitted to me for consideration. Thereafter, my officials will be engaging with the Department of Enterprise., Trade and Employment who will be progressing the appropriate legislative framework.
With regard to the application of the Working Time Directive to members of An Garda Síochána, I assume that the Deputy is referring to the Westmanstown Roster. The purpose of this agreement was to set out the principles underpinning the agreed Roster to ensure their efficient and effective implementation and to ensure the operation of the Roster complies fully with European Working Time Directive (EWTD).
The Deputy will also be aware that the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997, has not been amended to remove the blanket exemption from the provisions of the Directive for An Garda Siochana.
I would also add that the nature and manner of the work of the Defence Forces is not comparable to the work of An Garda Síochána, nor any other public sector organisation. The Defence Forces operate a range of assets different to those of An Gardaí and the Defence Forces work on land, sea and in the air. In addition, the nature of any derogations and exemptions to be considered for the Defence Forces would differ to those for An Garda Síochána.
66. Deputy Cathal Berry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of family quarters and homes managed by his Department; the number that are currently unoccupied; if there are plans to bring them back into use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5129/23]
View answerI am advised by the military authority that there are a total of one hundred and thirty-four (134) occupied and unoccupied married quarters under the stewardship of my Department. The following table sets out the information requested by the Deputy.
The Deputy will be aware that it is a long-standing policy that long term residential married quarters are no longer provided. There is no immediate plan to reverse this long-standing policy, which was introduced in the early 1990’s and was implemented on a gradual basis in recognition of the sensitivities involved for military personnel and their families.
The majority of these buildings are within military installations where military activities are continuously taking place. The future use of such buildings facilities is primarily a matter for the Defence Forces to consider in the context of their operational and training requirements. It should be noted however that the majority of unoccupied married quarters are not suitable for occupancy for a number of reasons.
|
Occupied Married Quarters |
Unoccupied Married Quarters |
Occupied and Unoccupied |
||||
|
Location |
Military |
Overholders |
Totals |
Location |
Total |
Total |
|
Cork |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Cork |
10 |
10 |
|
Dublin |
6 |
14 |
20 |
Dublin |
5 |
25 |
|
Kildare |
10 |
27 |
37 |
Kildare |
62 |
99 |
|
Total |
16 |
41 |
57 |
Total |
77 |
134 |
67. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will provide an update regarding the proposed transfer of lands from his Department to the Land Development Agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4774/23]
View answerWith the establishment of the LDA in September 2018, the accompanying Government announcement confirmed that two Defence properties would transfer to the LDA namely the St. Bricin’s facility (Dublin City) and the former Columb Barracks (Mullingar).
To that end, officials in my Department have worked with the Chief State Solicitor's Office as a priority matter to finalise pre-contract matters, relating to Title and other formalities in advance of the formal transfer of the property to the LDA. These pre-transfer matters have largely been concluded and the Department are now awaiting the formal commencement by the LDA of the transfer of both sites.
72. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence his plans to work with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to bring the derelict houses in the Curragh Camp, County Kildare, back into the State housing stock and make them available once again for service members; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5150/23]
View answerSince the 1990s, the long-standing policy of the organisation has been to withdraw from the provision of married quarters for serving personnel. This policy approach remains reflective of the State’s move away from the historic provision of tied housing for State employees. The move away from this provision was accepted by senior military management at the time. My Department have previously transferred properties outside of this installation to the County Council, as the housing authority, and remains open to transferring the remaining properties on a similar basis when they become available.
73. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will provide the details of the protections on coastlines to prevent entry of illegal migrants and the importation of drugs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5027/23]
View answerThe Naval Service, as the State's principal sea-going agency, is tasked with a variety of defence and other roles. While the main day to day tasking of the Naval Service is to provide a fishery protection service in accordance with the State's obligations as a member of the European Union, it also carries out a number of other non-fishery related tasks such as search and rescue, diving operations, drugs interdiction as well as many more.
Overall responsibility for the prevention of drug trafficking rests primarily with the Customs Service of the Revenue Commissioners, while responsibility for the prevention of crime rests primarily with An Garda Síochána. The White Paper on Defence (2015) reaffirms the role carried out by the Defence Forces in support of this important work with the Air Corps and the Naval Service providing support to these agencies as the need arises and within their available capabilities.
This ongoing work, which is intelligence led, has been extremely successful in recent years, leading to a number of successful interdictions. For operational and security reasons, it is not appropriate for me to provide further details of this work.
75. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the plans that are in place for capital investment in defence capability in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4741/23]
View answerFor 2023, the total allocation provided to Vote 36 – Defence is €915 million, which is an increase of €79 million on 2022, and includes a capital allocation of €176 million. This allocation is the highest capital investment allocation ever received by Defence and represents an annual increase of €35 million or 25% on 2022.
The principal demand drivers of Defence capital funding are the ongoing acquisition, renewal and retention of military equipment along with the development of military infrastructure and ICT capacity, in order to ensure that all the necessary capabilities are in place to meet requirements.
The Equipment Development Plan (EDP) provides a comprehensive list of planned equipment projects to be progressed over a five year period. This plan builds on the intentions set out in the White Paper in relation to equipment acquisition, modernisation and upgrade and has been developed to ensure that our Defence Forces have the major equipment platforms, ancillary equipment and force protection equipment to carry out their important roles both at home and overseas.
Among the projects, across land, sea and air platforms, included in the EDP for progression in 2023 are:
- the ongoing midlife upgrade of the Army's fleet of Mowag Piranha III Armoured Personnel Carriers;
- the acquisition of Body Armour & Helmets along with a range of chemical biological, radiological and nuclear suits;
- the acquisition of software defined radio;
- the development of a primary radar capability;
- the continuation of the mid-Life Extension programme works on LÉ Niamh;
- the acquisition of two Inshore Patrol Vessels from the New Zealand Government to replace LÉ Orla and LÉ Ciara;
- the acquisition of two Airbus C295 Maritime Patrol Aircraft;
- the acquisition of a C295 Transport aircraft.
The recently updated 2022-2027 Defence Forces Infrastructure Development Plan (IDP) sets out a programme of anticipated infrastructural projects for delivery. This Plan enables the ongoing modernising and upgrading of a diverse Defence Built infrastructure portfolio and ensures that all Defence Forces installations are fit for purpose taking account of operational, security, and health and safety considerations.
Multiple projects are currently progressing, at different stages of development. Among the projects currently underway are the provision of a new cadet school in the Defence Forces Training Camp at the Curragh, and the development of the university students administrative complement, USAC, student facility in Galway, along with a broad range of facility improvements and accommodation upgrades in military locations across the country.
The primary return on Defence capital investment will be the retention of necessary military capabilities which provide the means by which the Defence Forces contribute to national and international peace and security and fulfil all other roles assigned by Government. These sectoral benefits, will, in turn, deliver wider societal benefits by providing a robust national security infrastructure which aligns and complements related national goals encompassing sustainability, economic recovery, social cohesion and overall societal well-being.
76. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will provide an update on efforts to improve gender diversity and equality within the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4093/23]
View answerThe Government remains committed to a policy of equal opportunity for men and women throughout the Defence Forces and to the full participation by women in all aspects of Defence Forces activities. The equality and diversity policy objectives as detailed in the White Paper on Defence, which includes explicit commitment to the principles of equal opportunity in all employment policies, procedures and regulations and equal opportunities irrespective of gender, ethnicity or sexual orientation, remain a priority for the Defence Forces.
The Defence Forces recognise the need to ensure that the societal changes being witnessed in Ireland would also be reflected in the Defence organisation. In 2016, the Defence Forces current Diversity and Inclusion Strategy Statement and Action Plan was launched and detailed the Defence Forces approach to diversity and inclusion across the various strands of the organisation’s activities, including recruitment.
In line with current policies and commitments a number of initiatives have been implemented with a view to increase the level of female participation in the Permanent Defence Force.
For example:
- Special consideration is paid to women as a target group for recruitment within the general recruitment framework, including a Female Recruitment Standing Committee reporting on initiatives for 2022, with dedicated female recruitment teams proposed.
- The Defence Forces actively engage with schools to conduct career talks and regularly attend events aimed at future career choices for schools. Each of these events is attended by both male and females serving members.
- A Gender Equality and Diversity Officer has been in place for a number of years to promote gender equality policies and training within the Defence Forces. Gender Advisors are available to all Brigades and Services and trained Gender Focal Points are deployed with all overseas units and ships in order to promote a gender perspective in operations.
- A Defence Forces Women's Network was established with the aim of increasing the participation of female personnel at all levels of the organisation.
In addition, a review of recruitment practices and processes in the PDF, tasked under the High Level Implementation Plan arising from the Public Service Pay Commission report, has additionally examined all aspects of the recruitment process, including diversity, as part of its work.
The Report from the Commission on the Defence Forces contains a number of recommendations relating in particular to gender and diversity and these will be captured in a Implementation Plan which is currently being finalised. A number of early actions to addressed gender and diversity have been identified and are being progressed.
It is clear from the experiences shared in recent years by former and serving female members however, that despite the reforms that have taken place over the past 20 years and ongoing initiatives, further work is required to ensure that the workplace culture is fully aligned with the principles of dignity, equality, mutual respect, and duty of care for every member of the Defence Forces. I am fully aware that the systems, policies and procedures in place to deal with dignity and equality issues have not, and are not serving all Defence Forces personnel well.
The Judge-led Independent Review Group, established on 25 January 2022 by my colleague former Minister for Defence, Simon Coveney, following Government approval, has been examining those very systems, policies and procedures for dealing with issues relating to bullying, discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual misconduct in the Defence Forces as well as the prevailing workplace culture. Their work is nearing conclusion and the Final Report expected later next week.
As I have said before, I will be considering the Report in full, in consultation with the Attorney General, before bringing it to Government and its publication. I have no doubt that this Report will provide recommendations which will be essential for ensuring a workplace culture underpinned by gender equality and where equal opportunities are the order of the day. While I do not want to pre-empt what will be in the Final Report, I do intend to ensure that all the recommendations are fulfilled.
