Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 April 2024
149. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if authorisation from the Department if necessary for serving members of the Defence Forces to sit on the board of security organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17757/24]
View answerDefence Forces Regulation (DFR) A7 deals with the overarching matter of discipline. Paragraphs 16 to 23 provides for the position of members of the Permanent Defence Force in relation to matters of contracts, sales and purchases, and private trade or employment. Of particular note in this instance is Para 20D which states:
"Where it comes to the notice of Deputy Chief of Staff (Support) that a member of the Permanent Defence Forces is engaged in off-duty employment which is likely to prove detrimental or prejudicial to the best interests of the service, he may take such measures as may appear to him/her necessary and desirable to terminate or limit the scope of such employment".
Unit Commanders are obliged to manage personnel under their command to ensure compliance with DFRs. Any breaches of DFRs are dealt with appropriately through normal Defence Forces administrative and/or disciplinary measures.
