Defence - text from the tri-partite draft Programme for Government June 2020

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Defence

Irish people take great pride in our Permanent Defence Forces and the men and women who serve this country with pride and distinction. Since first deploying, the Defence Forces have the longest unbroken record of overseas service with the United Nations of any country, during this time the nature of conflict has presented new challenges. We will continue this proud record and ensure that the Defence Forces are suitably resourced to partake in such service recognising the new challenges facing the global community.

Peacekeeping and humanitarian efforts are at the core of the international reputation of the Defence Forces. With climate change becoming an increasing security threat across the world and a signfactor in the incidences of war, famine, forced migration and disaster management, we recognise the vital role the Defence Forces have in addressing these challenges.

Commission on the Defence Forces

In order to meet the medium and longer term defence requirements of the State an independent Commission will be established. This Commission will undertake a comprehensive review which will
include the following matters:

• Arrangements for the effective defence of the country at land and sea.
• Structures for governance, joint command and control structures.
• The brigade structure.
• Pay and allowances and composition of the Defence Forces.
• Recruitment. retention and career progression.
• The contribution of the Reserve Defence Forces, including its legislation and Defence Forces regulations governing it and whether specialists from the RDF should be able to serve
overseas.

The Commission will contain a wide variety of expertise such as management, human resources, academia, law, public service, as well as members with external military expertise from countries similar in size to Ireland and also from states that like Ireland are non-aligned militarily. We will consult widely on the terms of reference for the Commission which will be established by end of 2020 with a mandate to report within twelve months.

The outcome of this review will remain grounded in a policy of active military neutrality and
participative multilateralism through the United Nations and European Union.

Upon completion of the Commissions work, a permanent pay review body will be established,
reflecting the unique nature of military service in the context of the public service. All
recommendations by the Commission or the successor body and their implementation must be consistent with national public sector wage policy.

Overseas operations and international co-operation

The Government will ensure that all overseas operations will be carried out in line with our position of military neutrality and will be subject to a triple lock of UN, Government and Dáil Eireann approval.

Ireland’s participation in PESCO projects will be maintained on an ‘opt-in’ basis, with contributions being entirely voluntary. Any projects undertaken within PESCO will be approved by Cabinet and Dáil Éireann.
The Government will not partake in projects which are not compatible with our policy of active military neutrality and non-membership of military alliances.
Within the context of the European Peace Facility Ireland will not be part of decision making or funding for lethal force weapons for non-peacekeeping purposes.

Additional actions

We will:
• Support the establishment of centres for retired members of the Defence Forces.
• Develop a new Institute for Peace Support and Leadership Training in the Curragh.
• Ensure that all enlisted members of the Defence Forces have the same access to healthcare as officers do currently.
• Amend the Organisation of Working Time Act bringing the Defence Forces within the scope of its provisions.