Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 May 2024
45. Deputy James Lawless asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he is considering legislation to prevent former and serving soldiers performing private security work in countries subject to international sanctions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21826/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra52. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the timeframe in which he expects to conclude considerations regarding the need for further legislation to strengthen safeguards in relation to former members of the Defence Forces selling their expertise. [22045/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 45 and 52 together.
Recent media reports that former members of the Defence Forces may have been involved in training members of the Libyan National Army are deeply shocking and cause reputational damage to Ireland and our Defence Forces. No Irish citizen should knowingly be involved in activities that breach UN sanctions or EU restrictive measures, least of all former members of the Irish Defence Forces.
One of the immediate actions I initiated in response to these reports was to instruct my officials to prepare a policy position to encompass an immediate review of the current legislative provisions pertaining to parallel employment; permissions for annual and special leave outside the State; and proposals for making the regulatory underpinning, and subsequent sanctions for any such breaches, more robust. This reflects my view that the current legislative underpinning around external employment for members of the Defence Forces requires an immediate review.
As a first step in the formalisation of that policy position, the Chief of Staff has been asked to prepare Military Advice on the matter, which will provide a review of the current regulatory provisions, relating to parallel employment and applications for annual and special leave outside the State, with a particular focus on the practical application of those provisions within the chain of command and the degree to which sanctions are currently imposed, where such activities are deemed not to be in the best interests of military service.
This request is also to identify any gaps from his perspective, as Chief of Staff, in the current regulatory provisions and the practical application thereof and any recommendations he might have to address any such gaps.
In addition, an overview of arrangements that are currently in place for other Armed Forces with regard to parallel employment is also underway.
In tandem, my officials are also examining the arrangements that are currently in place across the Public Service relating to parallel employment and related matters.
The Military Advice, coupled with the work my officials are undertaking, will form the basis of a policy proposal for consideration by me, along with an assessment of any regulatory underpinning required, to support the policy proposal.
I have asked for this body of work to be completed without delay.
