Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 November 2023
46. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence in view of the absence of an army barracks in the central Border area, if further consideration will be given to the re-opening of Dún Uí Néill Cavan as a forward operating base; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50868/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Commission on the Defence Forces was established on foot of a commitment in the Programme for Government. The Commission undertook a significant body of work, encompassing wide-ranging terms of reference. 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.
As one of the early actions arising from 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 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.
A detailed implementations plan of the next phase of delivering on the recommendations from the Commission on the Defence Forces is expected to be published shortly.
Currently there are no plans to consider the Dún Uí Néill site in Cavan as a forward operating base, it is currently being used by Cavan and Monaghan Education and Training Board.
