Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 November 2023
74. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if Collins Barracks, Cork will be the location of the headquarters of the military formation that will control military operations in the southern region of the country, in the new Defence Forces structure that emerges as a result of the recommendations set out in the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50898/23]
View answerThe Commission on the Defence Forces was established on foot of a commitment in the Programme for Government, the report of the Commission was published on 9th February 2022. It recommended 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.
There are a number of recommendations contained in the report which may impact on the structure of the Defence Forces, including that the structure of the Army be reviewed, and in that context, the disposition of Units across the Defence Forces may be considered.
The recommendation, that the structure of the Army be reviewed, was identified as an Early Action in the High Level Action Plan. However, no decisions on the future disposition or locations of Defence Forces formations, installations and personnel have been made at this time.
In keeping with the recommendations of the Commission on the Defence Forces, work is progressing on the Army Force Design process in order to create “a more agile and flexible force design structure”.
An external consultant has been appointed with Terms of Reference assigned to consider how a future Army Force Design process should be planned and executed to meet current and future operational taskings and other government assigned tasks.
Phase one of the Force Design process is scheduled to be completed and submitted to the Chief of Staff for approval by the end of Q4 2023.
An Army Force Design Team has also been established with a Colonel Rank in the lead with initial supporting staff appointed and tasked to progress post-phase one planning.
