Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 July 2023
166. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence when Defence Forces regulation C.S.4 was last updated; when he next expects to update it; what progress has been made to ensure this is more flexible and subject to regular revision to reflect changes and reforms within the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36269/23]
View answerDefence Force Regulations C.S.4 - Organisation of the Defence Forces, (DFR CS4) 2013, is made pursuant to the provisions of section 22 of the Defence Act 1954. As required by the Act, DFR CS4 prescribes the staffs, units and other elements of the Defence Forces, the numerical establishment of the Defence Forces, and the number in each rank of the Defence Forces. This Regulation was last amended in September 2018.
I should explain that any proposals to alter the establishment of the Defence Forces requires engagement with the relevant stakeholders including the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform and the military authorities. Once agreement has been reached on the proposed changes, the necessary regulatory amendments to DFR CS4 are progressed without delay.
I am advised that agreement has now been reached in relation to some initial changes in the numerical establishment of the Defence Forces to provide for an increase in the establishment of the Permanent Defence Force to facilitate the implementation of certain recommendations of the Commission on the Defence Forces (CODF). In that regard a draft amendment to DFR CS4 is currently being prepared and will be submitted for my consideration in the coming days.
Any revision of DFR CS4 is progressed without delay as soon as agreement has been reached in relation to any changes to establishment numbers in the Defence Forces.
