Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 January 2024
54. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence for an update on progress in the implementation of the recommendations of the Commission on the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2760/24]
View answer56. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the progress he expects in 2024 towards realising level of ambition 2 for the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2698/24]
View answer84. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the actions he is taking to drive forward the cultural transformation of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2599/24]
View answerI ask the Tánaiste for an update on progress in the implementation of the recommendations of the Commission on the Defence Forces.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 54, 56 and 84 together.
I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. As Minister, I am deeply committed to the transformation of the Defence Forces into a modern, fit-for-purpose organisation to defend the State and meet the challenges of today and the future. Following the publication of the report of the independent review group on dignity and equality issues in the Defence Forces in March 2023, I set out my priority to develop one strategic framework for the transformation of the Defence Forces in order that it would be fully understandable to everyone.
The strategic framework, which I published in September 2023, brings together into one overarching document the immediate actions to be taken to support the transformation of the 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 is providing a safe workplace where self-worth is actively promoted, mutual respect becomes a dominant feature, and 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, which was published on 21 November last, forms a core element of the overarching strategic framework and achieving this end goal. The publication 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 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 by 2028 and the significant and fundamental change for the Defence Forces that will be delivered across the commission’s recommendations, which span strategic human resources and cultural change; the establishment of new command and control and joint structures; reform and restructuring of services; a revitalisation of the Reserve Defence Force; and the implementation of joint capability development.
Do I not have more time because there is a number of questions?
You will get time to respond but you do not get more than two minutes now as there is only one Deputy here.
Okay, I have to do what I am told.
I acknowledge what the Tánaiste has just said. He also referenced in his previous reply to Deputy Burke the importance of instigating cultural change and the whole issue of restructuring. Of course, that is required but I want to go back to the issue of retention. We were in the unenviable position last year of having to withdraw from a peacekeeping group. Part of the roadmap ahead in the context of this report and the action plan that came from it is that we will be able to honour our commitments to the EU battle group in 2024 and 2025. Is the Tánaiste confident that aim or target can be achieved?
In response to an earlier question I asked on retention, the Tánaiste said he spoke to Defence Forces personnel about improving the conversion rate of those applying to join the Defence Forces. He referenced the age limit increase but are there any other specific steps being taken to improve that conversion rate?
To conclude my initial response, much progress has been achieved since the commission’s report was published. The high level action plan identified the recruitment, through an open process, for the new senior-level civilian positions of head of transformation and head of strategic human resources for the Defence Forces as necessary early actions. Appointments have now been made to these positions. A number of the recommendations that have been implemented to date have had a significant impact. We recently announced new changes to the existing Naval Service allowances, as a means of simplifying current structures, by consolidating the daily allowance and the sea-going commitment scheme into one enhanced allowance. This is in line with the Commission on the Defence Forces recommendation to replace existing sea-going allowances with less complex measures. The sea-going commitment scheme was abolished from the end of 2023. Specifically, the current patrol duty allowance paid to Naval Service personnel will be doubled after ten days at sea. This measure has taken effect from 1 January 2024 and will result in the daily rate increasing from €64.67 to €129.24 for an officer, and from €64.27 to €128.54 for an enlisted person, after ten days at sea. In addition to this, healthcare afforded to officer ranks has been extended to enlisted ranks. Secondary healthcare is being provided to all enlisted personnel. Personnel of private 3 star-able seaman rank are now paid the full rate of military service allowance applicable to the rank and the requirement for that cohort to mark time for the first three years at that rank has been removed.
There is a lot more here that I can submit to the House.
To go back to the action plan again, I understand it is in its infancy in terms of the delivery of the goals that have been set out but I want to focus on one or two specific points. I will concentrate on the naval side of things, which the Tánaiste mentioned in his previous response. I understand that one of the aims of the action plan is to improve security around subsea cabling, for example, in the context of interference there. This will involve procuring submersibles to aid the Naval Service in the protection of undersea cables. Are we any way along in the journey of procuring that specific technology? I know it is early days yet but I ask the Tánaiste to comment on that. I am also interested in the procurement of sonar systems to strengthen our anti-submarine activity off our coast.
We have to beef up the capacity of the Defence Forces to develop a comprehensive radar system, to assess the requirements for Ireland in that respect and to procure one. On subsea cables, obviously aerial support is important. There are a number of dimensions to protecting subsea cables, the most critical one being collaboration with other EU member states, the US and other countries. The monitoring is done globally and different countries alert each other when they spot potential third-party actors who may be either monitoring our subsea cables or are in our specialised exclusive economic zones. It was explained to me by a senior military adviser - not in the Irish Army - that this will be a battle of maths in the future. A lot of this will involve the private sector providing far more information in respect of its cables. There are lots of complexities around international maritime law as it applies to data under the sea and a lot of expertise will be required. Therefore, we do need to collaborate with other countries in terms of protecting subsea cables, particularly the transatlantic ones, because of the enormity of the data that flows through them, which affects all of our lives. It is not just about ships alone.
