Mick Barry
Question:38. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Economy and Investment will next meet. [26400/23]
View answerCabinet Committees
Questions (38, 39)
Alan Dillon
Question:39. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on the Economy and Investment will next meet. [28358/23]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 38 and 39 together.
The Cabinet Committee on the Economy and Investment was re-established in January 2023 and met on 25 May. The next meeting of the Committee is not yet scheduled.
Question No. 39 answered with Question No. 38.
Questions Nos. 40 to 65, inclusive, resubmitted.
Questions Nos. 66 to 75, inclusive, answered orally.
Defence Forces
Questions (76)
Gino Kenny
Question:76. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence his views on a complaint made by Defence Forces representatives over the failure to pay proper overtime to their members; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29558/23]
View answerWritten answers
Unlike other areas of the Public Service, and due to the nature of the duties performed, overtime payments are not available to members of the Defence Forces. Comparisons with other areas of the Public Service must be cognisant of the unique role, structure, duties and working conditions of service, which are particularly unique to military personnel.
The non-standard time and attendance patterns of military personnel and the rates of remuneration associated with a wide spectrum of duties undertaken by such personnel can vary across the different branches of the Defence Forces.
In that regard a Military Service Allowance, which is designed to compensate for the special disadvantages associated with military life including long and unsocial hours, is paid to all ranks up to the level of Colonel. Military Service Allowance is counted for pensionable purposes.
It is of course also the case that in addition to basic pay and military service allowance, certain positions in the Defence Forces also attract specialist and technical pay and that a range of duties also attract additional allowances. These duty based allowances are not analogous to overtime as such payments are in addition to basic pay and MSA and are related to the duties undertaken.
I would also like to highlight that in instances where members of the Defence Forces acquire technical qualifications and/or fill associated appointments, there is associated technical pay. Defence Force personnel also receive tax free payments for certain overseas deployments and duties. Furthermore, Defence Force personnel receive three additional public holidays over and above the public sector norms. These additional holidays are specific only to members of the Permanent Defence Force.
I am further advised that the Defence Forces have carried out a feasibility study for the purpose of introducing a time and attendance system for their members, and that a Defence Forces Working Group has been established to examine options for capturing Time & Attendance details on the extant Defence Forces Personnel Management System (PMS) software which contains information on the range, type and quantity of duties performed by PDF personnel. This informs the calculation of remuneration for individual members.
Common Security and Defence Policy
Questions (77)
Cormac Devlin
Question:77. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence his plans for Ireland's participation in the European Union Common Security and Defence policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28294/23]
View answerWritten answers
The European Union's Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) sets out the EU’s framework in the field of defence and crisis management, including defence cooperation and coordination between Member States.
Ireland is a strong proponent of the important role the EU can play in support of international peace and security and of the UN.
Ireland is engaged with a number of EU defence-related initiatives and frameworks, including the European Defence Agency (EDA), the Coordinated Annual Review on Defence (CARD), the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO), the EU Satellite Centre (EU SatCen), the European Defence Fund (EDF) and the European Peace Facility (EPF). The Strategic Compass, endorsed by the European Council last year, outlines the way forward for the European Union in the field of security and defence.
At its core, defence remains a national competence, something borne out by the differing responses and actions taken by EU Member States in the aftermath of the Russia’s illegal and immoral invasion of Ukraine.
Participation in EU CSDP does not prejudice the security and defence policy or obligations of any Member State. Given that decision-making power in relation to the Strategic Compass' proposed actions remain a national competence, it remains a matter for Ireland to decide our own way forward.
From decisions on defence investment and orientation taken across the Union to the choices made by Sweden and Finland in applying for NATO membership, Member States have taken such action as best fit their national needs.
Ireland is no different and is a strong supporter of the CSDP, having been an active participant in a number of the European Union’s civilian and military CSDP Missions and Operations.
As of 1 June, Ireland participates in four EU CSDP missions as follows:
• EUTM Mali – eight personnel
• Operation Althea in Bosnia and Herzegovina – five personnel with a further Defence Force member deployed to the Operational Headquarters of the operation in Mons, Belgium
• EUMAM Ukraine – four personnel(one in Brussels and three in Germany)
• Operation Irini – three personnel
Those numbers are augmented from time-to-time by the deployment of small teams of trainers as part of EUMAM Ukraine. One such training module has been delivered in Cyprus and other will shortly be delivered in Germany.
Meanwhile, the LÉ William Butler Yeats will commence operations with Operation Irini in the Mediterranean tomorrow, with a crew of 58 personnel.
It is essential that Ireland remains fully engaged in all CSDP processes and contributes fully to the development of the policy in order that we can influence its evolution, particularly since the illegal invasion of Ukraine by Russia in February 2022.
I would also remind the House that the Consultative Forum on International Security will provide an opportunity to examine our current and future engagement in EU CSDP.
Fisheries Protection
Questions (78)
Christopher O'Sullivan
Question:78. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence for a report on the role of the Naval Service in fisheries protection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28117/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Naval Service is the State's principal sea-going agency and is tasked with a variety of defence and other roles. The primary 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.
Naval Service vessels are multi-tasked in that they have the ability to undertake general surveillance, search and rescue, diving operations, drugs interdiction and other duties while conducting their primary day-to-day tasking of providing a fishery protection service. At any one time the Naval Service will have ships that are on active operations around the Irish EEZ whilst others are undergoing routine resupply, maintenance, and down time for ships' companies.
In relation to its sea-fishery protection role, the Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006 established the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) as the competent Authority for securing efficient and effective enforcement of sea fisheries protection legislation and the sustainable exploitation of marine fish resources from the waters around Ireland within Ireland's EEZ.
A Service Level Agreement (SLA) is in place which underpins the relationship between the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority and the Defence Organisation. The SLA between the Department of Defence, and the SFPA facilitates a close and effective partnership between the Department and the SFPA so that Ireland meets its obligations under the Common Fisheries Policy to ensure a system of fishery control for the protection and sustainable exploitation of marine organisms.
Officials from my Department and members of the Naval Service and Air Corps regularly meet with officials of the SFPA on a formal and informal basis.
The Naval Service and the Air Corps patrol the Irish 200 nautical mile limit in respect of sea fisheries protection and periodically patrol beyond these limits to protect specific fisheries. These patrols are carried out on a regular and frequent basis and are directed to all areas of Irish waters as necessary. The Naval Service operates a rotating patrol schedule for all operational ships in an effort to maintain a constant presence in the Irish EEZ.
These patrols are augmented in the Fisheries Monitoring Centre (FMC) located at the Naval Base in Haulbowline, which the Naval Service is responsible for operating 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The FMC provides for fishery data collection, analysis, and dissemination to the Naval Service and client agencies such as the SFPA. The FMC carries out monitoring and surveillance of fishing vessels operating within or adjacent to Ireland’s EEZ and also of all Irish vessels operating worldwide.
Notwithstanding the significant challenges being experienced, the Naval Service continues to carry out the roles assigned by Government, including fishery protection and maritime surveillance operations.
Question No. 79 answered orally.