Niamh Smyth
Ceist:75. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence his key priorities for the Defence Forces in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2765/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 23 January 2024
Ceisteanna (75)
Freagraí scríofa
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.
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.
One of the key commitments was to establish a Commission on the Defence Forces and their report was published on the 9th February 2022.
The Detailed Implementation Plan for the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces published in November 2023 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’ (LOA 2) by 2028 and the significant and fundamental change for the Defence Forces that will be delivered across the Commission’s recommendations.
One of the Early Actions identified in the High-Level Action Plan was the commencement of a Strategic Defence Review as part of the regular defence review process set out in the White Paper. 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.
Along with the actions arising from the Commission on the Defence Forces the following items are some of the more immediate priorities for my Department:
Independent Review Group
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 2023. To support the body in its work, a dedicated Secretariat has been established and in 2023 the Body met on 15 occasions. Legislation is also being developed to put this Body on a statutory footing as soon as possible.
On 16 January Government approval was given for the Terms of Reference for a judge-led Tribunal of Inquiry, as recommended by the Independent Review Group. Government also approved the appointment of Ms. Justice Ann Power to Chair the Tribunal. Government will now seek the approval of the Oireachtas to formally establish the Tribunal, and get work underway as early as possible this year.
Separately, in a further implementation of the IRG's recommendations, Mr. Kevin Duffy has been appointed as independent Chair of a new Working Group to develop a complaints process for civilian employees and civil servants who work with the Defence Forces. This is another important step in implementing the recommendations of the Independent Review Group.
Strategic Framework
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.
Legislation
As set out in the Strategic Framework, my Department is progressing two Bills to amend the Defence Acts. In December I welcomed the Government's approval for the drafting of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2023. This is the first of two Bills which I intend to bring forward in the next year to drive forward the cultural transformation of the Defence Forces. 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.
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.
International
Continuing the work done in 2023, one of the key priorities of my Department in 2024 is the successful reflection of Ireland’s position in relation to various EU defence and security initiatives, including on the implementation of the Strategic Compass, the operationalisation of the European Peace Facility and EU actions in support of Ukraine.
In January 2023, the Government approved the participation by the Defence Forces in the German-led EU Battlegroup in 2024/2025. This will be the eighth occasion on which the Defence Forces have been part of an EU Battlegroup and the first since 2020. The Battlegroup will be stood-up during 2024 and will be on standby throughout 2025.
Recruitment and retention
Recruitment and retention of personnel is a key priority for me. In addition to the implementation of the recommendations of the Commission on the Defence Forces, there are a number of initiatives currently underway to counter the on-going recruitment and retention challenges in the Defence Forces and play a role in restoring and retaining capacity. On 15th November last year 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.
Other priorities
Other priorities that will be progressed during 2024 include the Organisational Capability Review, regeneration of the RDF, infrastructure and equipment development, Civil Defence and strategic emergency management. Whilst this list does not cover all the work to be carried out in 2024 it captures some of my key priority areas.
Question No. 76 answered orally.