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Legislative Programme

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 June 2021

Tuesday, 29 June 2021

Ceisteanna (24)

Violet-Anne Wynne

Ceist:

24. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Defence the status of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2020. [34627/21]

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Freagraí scríofa

The purpose of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2020 is to make a number of miscellaneous amendments to the Defence Act to update certain provisions in order to better reflect the current operational practices of the Defence Forces.

The principal issues dealt with by this legislation relate to overseas operations as well as removing provisions in the Defence Act relating to the enlistment of minors.

In addition, the opportunity has been taken to make a number of other minor amendments to the Defence Act.

I gave an undertaking during the Committee Stage debate that I would introduce Report Stage amendments to enable the Reserve Defence Force to be deployed in support of the Permanent Defence Force at home and overseas.

I received Government approval for the drafting of amendments to the Bill on that basis.

The drafting of the amendments concluded recently and the Report Stage debate is scheduled to proceed tomorrow evening (30 June 2021).

While not wishing to pre-empt the Report Stage debate, I can say that the Report Stage amendments will enhance the role of the Reserve Defence Force by removing the current legislative restrictions within the Defence Acts on the activities it performs including the restriction on serving overseas.

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