Cathal Crowe
Question:193. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence his main policy and legislative priorities for 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55203/23]
View answerTuesday, 12 December 2023
Questions (193)
Written answers
The Programme for Government contains an ambitious range of commitments concerning the Defence sector that my Department will continue to implement over the lifetime of the Programme.
One of the key commitments was to establish a Commission on the Defence Forces. On the 15th December 2020, the Government approved terms of reference and the membership of an independent Commission on the Defence Forces, and their report was published on the 9th February 2022.
Government approval has been 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 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.
The report of the Independent Review Group (IRG) established to examine dignity and equality issues in the Defence Forces was published following Government approval on 28th March 2023. As part of the response to the IRG Report, the Government approved the establishment of an External Oversight Body for the Defence Forces to drive the necessary culture changes throughout the Defence Forces and enhance transparency and accountability. This is an essential part of the transformation of the current workplace to support current serving members and remains a priority for 2024.
The External Oversight Body is chaired by Prof. Brian MacCraith; its Terms of Reference were published on the 12th July. To support the body in its work, a dedicated Secretariat has been established and to date the Body has met on 15 occasions. Legislation is also being developed to put this Body on a statutory footing as soon as possible.
Following the publication of the Report of the Independent Review Group on Dignity and Equality issues in the Defence Forces (IRG) in March 2023, I set out my priority to develop one Strategic Framework for the transformation of the Defence Forces, so it would be fully understandable to everyone.
In September 2023, the Strategic Framework - Transformation of the Defence Forces was published. This document clearly sets out the vital work that is underway relating to the transformation of the Defence Forces and outlines the necessary actions to be delivered by the end of 2024. It covers the recommendations made in the Report of the Independent Review Group on Dignity and Equality issues in the Defence Forces (IRG) and the Commission on the Defence Forces Report (CoDF), together with measures to address recruitment and retention challenges, and the legislative changes needed to modernise our Defence Forces.
My priority within this transformation is cultural change above all else. The end goal of this cultural change is to ensure that the Defence Forces is an equal opportunities employer, reflective of contemporary Irish society and that is providing a safe workplace where
• self-worth is actively promoted,
• mutual respect becomes a dominant feature,
• all members are treated with dignity,
• in an organisation that continuously evolves to deliver positive change.
The Detailed Implementation Plan for the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces was noted by Cabinet and published on the 21st November and forms a core element of the overarching Strategic Framework and achieving this end goal. The finalisation of the Detailed Implementation Plan is a further important step on this journey and builds on the publication of the Commission Report itself in February 2022, the High-Level Action Plan (HLAP) in July 2022 and the Early Actions Update published in March 2023.
This plan sets out an ambitious programme of work to move to ‘Level of Ambition 2’ (LOA 2) by 2028 and the significant and fundamental change for the Defence Forces that will be delivered across the Commission’s recommendations which span:
• Strategic HR and Cultural Change
• New Command and Control and Joint Structures to be established;
• Services to be reformed and restructured;
• Reserve Defence Force to be revitalised; and
• Joint Capability Development to be implemented
Much progress has been achieved since the Commission’s report was published, with 12 recommendations already implemented and a further 6 to be completed by the end of the year. It is important that this Detailed Implementation Plan is seen within its wider context. However a great deal of work still needs to be done and it will need concerted effort by all involved to achieve this.
Recruitment and retention of personnel is a key priority for me. My Department has progressed a number of activities relating to recruitment and retention in the Defence Forces, and related HR issues including commissioning from the ranks, the re-entry of former PDF personnel with specific skills, a sea-going commitment scheme for Naval Service Personnel, an Air Corps Service Commitment Scheme, the Naval Service Tax Credit and extending service limits for Privates, Corporals and Sergeants. On 15th November I announced that with effect from 01 January 2024 the Patrol Duty Allowance (PDA) paid to Naval Service personnel will be doubled after ten days at sea.
A review of mandatory retirement ages in all ranks in the Permanent Defence Force is ongoing. A sub-committee of the Defence Conciliation and Arbitration Council (comprising of the Representative Associations, military and civil management) has been established to discuss, where appropriate, matters relating to implementation of the Working Time Directive. Discussions with the Defence Forces Representative Associations will continue to be undertaken through this forum as the current work evolves.
The Strategic Defence Review has commenced with the preparation of a revised security environment assessment (SEA) which is currently being conducted by an interdepartmental working group and will address the significant security environment changes since the invasion of Ukraine. A fresh consideration of the implications of this assessment for overall policy requirements, associated tasks, capability development and resourcing will then be completed and is a key policy priority in 2024.
As set out in the Strategic Framework, my Department is progressing two Bills to amend the Defence Acts.
I expect to bring the General Scheme of the first Bill to Government shortly. In summary, this Bill will:
establish the External Oversight Body of the Defence Forces on a statutory basis in line with a recommendation of the Independent Review Group on dignity and equality issues in the Defence Forces;
address the longer-term associate membership of ICTU for the representative associations for the Permanent Defence Force;
update other miscellaneous provisions of the Defence Acts to address issues that have been identified.
Subject to the approval of Government, it is intended that the General Scheme will be published and be referred to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence for pre-legislative scrutiny in accordance with Dáil Standing Order 174A.
A second Bill will also be advanced in 2024. In summary, this Bill will amend the Defence Acts to give effect to certain recommendations of the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces, the Report of the Independent Review Group on the Defence Forces and to address other matters.
As I indicated in my statement to the Dáil on 22 November on the "Triple Lock" mechanism, I have also instructed my officials to prepare legislative proposals that would govern the future overseas deployments of the Defence Forces and this work has commenced.
I am satisfied that significant progress is being made in implementing the Government's ambitious programme for Defence and I look forward to ongoing delivery of key national and international policies as well as legislative priorities for 2024.