Le: Aire Cosanta; Micheál Martin
Foilsithe
An t-eolas is déanaí
Teanga: Níl leagan Gaeilge den mhír seo ar fáil.
3 October 2024 at Mount Wolesley Hotel, Tullow.
Check against delivery
President and General Secretary of RACO, Chief of Staff, Defence Force Representatives, distinguished guests and conference delegates.
First of all, thank you for your warm welcome.
It is a great pleasure and honour for me, as Minister for Defence, to be given this opportunity to address your Annual Delegate Conference, here in Tullow. This is my first address to your ADC since assuming the role of Minister for Defence, in December 2022.
My address to you today comes at an important moment, a moment in which the role of our Defence Forces and questions about international security policy are being discussed in a way that they haven’t in a long time, if ever.
I have tried to facilitate that discussion in a constructive way, through my establishment of the National Consultative Forum on International Security Policy, which I know that members of this organisation followed closely and engaged with.
We are at the start of a process of discussion and investment, and our approach will of course continue to be shaped by our policy of military neutrality, coupled with active and principled membership of the EU, the UN, and other international fora.
Looking at our UN commitments, we are all well aware that the situation in Lebanon and the region remains very tense and unpredictable. The government continues to monitor the situation closely along with our partners in the UN, as well as the wider international community.
The safety and security of Ireland’s Defence Forces’ personnel is of paramount concern to the government and to me, as Minister for Defence. I am in ongoing contact with the Chief of Staff and the Department of Defence, in this regard, and as such I am being kept apprised of all developments in those areas where our Defence Forces personnel are deployed.
Additionally, I met last week with UN Under-Secretary General for Peacekeeping Jean Pierre Lacroix in New York, when we had a very straightforward discussion about the ongoing challenges in the region and the importance of the UNIFIL mission.
Furthermore, I have been crystal clear in my interactions with all governments in the region, of the obligations to the safety of UN peacekeepers.
I have full confidence in the capabilities of all our personnel who are highly trained and professional men and women and I know they have undergone rigorous preparation to effectively handle the challenges that come with peacekeeping in this volatile region.
Our personnel are under the excellent leadership of Lt Col Tom Fox and his team, who I know, having met him on a visit to Lebanon in May last, is highly experienced and is completely focussed on the safety of our troops.
Delegates, these are very challenging times, but last month’s UN mandate renewal of UNIFIL was a demonstration of the international community’s continued commitment and determination to restoring international peace and security in the region.
This is a noble and important aspiration, and the Irish people can be rightly proud of the performance of our troops in South Lebanon.
As I have previously stated, democracy is under threat in many parts of the world and the global multilateral order is under unprecedented strain.
International law – the rules and norms that have guided the international community since the end of the Second World War – is routinely violated.
As a country, we are obliged to reflect on this and ensure that our national defences are fit for purpose. It was in this spirit that we approached the Defence Policy Review 2024.
The review’s Security Environment Assessment highlights that Ireland, like other states, faces an increasingly contested, dynamic and volatile international security environment.
A focus on maritime security is identified as a priority. This will involve immediate action on military radar capabilities and the Department of Defence taking the lead on the future national Maritime Security Strategy. I have made clear my support for driving this forward.
Alongside the changing external environment, we also have a changing internal environment with cultural change remaining the key focus of transformation of the Defence Forces.
Delegates, there is a significant body of work underway to implement the necessary measures to initiate the urgently needed cultural transformation.
As you know, the report of the Independent Review Group (IRG), established to examine dignity and equality issues in the Defence Forces, was published last March.
At the time, I described it as an important catalyst for change, and since then I have worked hard to make that happen.
I established the External Oversight Body, which is now transitioning to a statutory basis.
We’ve changed the law to grant An Garda Síochána sole jurisdiction to investigate alleged sexual offences committed by persons subject to military law, and any subsequent cases will be heard by civil courts.
We have also established a Tribunal of Inquiry, one that will examine the effectiveness of the complaints processes in the Defence Forces, concerning workplace issues relating to discrimination, bullying, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual misconduct.
This Tribunal also will investigate the response to complaints made regarding the use of hazardous chemicals within Air Corps’ headquarters at Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel.
The decision to establish a Tribunal of Inquiry is not one that is taken lightly. A Tribunal of Inquiry is established where the matter is in the public interest and is of urgent public importance.
I have paid tribute to those individuals who, with personal courage, dignity, and resilience have shared their personal experiences, which have made a profound impression on me.
The power of their testimonies set in motion the journey of accountability that has brought us to this point.
The Chair of the Tribunal in her opening address, in June, called for anyone with knowledge or information relevant to its work to come forward with their relevant experience of the complaints process in the Defence Forces, whether that be negative or positive, damaging or constructive.
This is the opportunity to be heard. I know your organisation will join me in encouraging people to respond to the Tribunal’s request.
I know that none of this has been an easy process. But it is an important one. Because at its core this is about one thing – ensuring that the Defence Forces is an employer that promotes equal opportunities, reflects modern Irish society, maintains a safe working environment, and ensures that a career in the Irish military is one of the most attractive in the public service.
As the leaders in our Defence Forces, you play a critical part in underpinning the security of the state, through roles undertaken both at home and abroad.
I have been clear that in order for the men and women of Óglaigh na hÉireann to take centre stage in defending our nation’s security, a modern, professional and properly resourced Irish military capacity, is required.
Today I want to set out some of the actions we’ve taken over the last number of years, to further this goal.
The recruitment and retention of personnel, right across the service is key, and it is a priority for me. Delegates, in my role as Minister for Defence I have clearly acknowledged, many times, the ongoing staffing difficulties faced by the Defence Forces. These challenges are well documented.
In an increasingly competitive labour market, with full employment, such challenges continue to persist. At the same time, much has been done to remove all potential obstacles to recruiting and retaining personnel in the Defence Forces.
A number of key policy measures aimed at increasing both recruitment and retention have been progressed in recent times.
These include the extension of private secondary healthcare to enlisted ranks; significant changes made at end 2023 to bolster the Patrol Duty Allowance, in order to encourage sea-going activities, and the appointment of a civilian Head of Strategic Human Resources, with the aim of achieving a modernised HR function.
Significantly, in terms of the Naval Service, I recently received agreement to extend the sea-going Naval personnel tax credit of €1,500, initially extended into the 2024 tax year, for another period of some five years.
As I indicated when announcing this initiative on 4th September last, this reflects the government’s ongoing commitment to addressing recruitment and retention challenges for this service, in particular.
Alongside this range of measures, I was pleased to announce, earlier this year, the increase to 60 of the mandatory retirement age for all Defence Forces personnel. This has been further increased to 62, with effect from 19 August 2024.
I believe that these changes in the mandatory retirement age and the accompanying rise in recruitment age to 39 (also announced in March last), were transformative measures.
Such strategic moves will have a two-fold effect. As I outlined at the time, for the Organisation, it will help to address the issue of retention, by allowing experienced and skilled personnel to remain in their positions for longer, thereby retaining valuable organisational knowledge, providing continuity and contributing to enhanced training experiences for new recruits.
For Defence Forces personnel more generally, the measure supports career longevity and provides personnel with the opportunity to continue to contribute to the Organisation should they wish to continue in service.
In terms of pay, following the implementation of pay related recommendations of the Commission on Defence Forces, as well as the ratification of a new public service pay agreement in 2024, there has been significant progress.
As and from 1 October, when the latest 1% pay increase came into effect:
These pay rates compare very favourably with the starting pay in other areas of the Public Service, with similar or higher entry requirements.
Added to this, I am pleased that the Defence (Amendment) Act 2024 now presents the opportunity for both RACO and PDFORRA to achieve permanent Associate membership with ICTU, should they wish to do so.
As delegates here today know, RACO continues to advocate on behalf of its members on a range of issues.
One issue that RACO have continued to seek progress on is recognition for officers who provide specialist instruction and training. I am pleased to say that I have agreement in principle with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform to incentivise qualified officers, who upskill to meet modern training standards.
These instructors are critical to providing professional instruction to new and existing personnel and have a key role to play in driving culture change in the organisation.
As you know, we agreed and announced Budget 2025 earlier this week, and I was pleased to announce a €100 million increase for Defence, taking our allocation to €1.35 billion. This will see the Defence Vote exceed the €1 billion mark for the first time.
This significant allocation of €1.35 billion will allow Defence to deliver services across its key strategic elements: Defence Policy, ensuring the capacity to deliver and Defence Forces operations.
It will also ensure that the Defence Forces have the resources necessary to deliver on all roles assigned by Government, both at home and overseas and provides for the pay of an expected year-end PDF strength of 7,600 and the induction of a net additional 400 recruits in 2025.
As well as providing for ongoing operational costs, our increased allocation will also provide targeted funding to facilitate:
Also, just to reference, the 2026 capital allocation will increase further to €220 million.
Delegates, I have been very clear since taking up the role of Minister for Defence in saying that a modern, professional military must be supported by equally modern and up to date equipment and infrastructure.
Defence funding increases must be maintained as a critical and crucial enabler for the transformation of the Defence Forces and the reinforcement of Ireland’s role as trusted security partner and responsible neighbour.
Following on from the publication of revised multi-annual capital allocations in the National Development Plan (NDP), earlier this year, the Defence capital allocation will rise from its 2024 level of €176 million to €215 million in 2025 and €220 million in 2026.
This represents an increase of €78 million (55%) in capital funding since the government approved the move to ‘Level of Ambition 2’ (LOA2), as set out in the capability framework devised by the Commission on the Defence Forces, and will bring the Defence capital allocation to its highest ever level in 2026.
Additionally, there are a number of major Defence Equipment upgrade and replacement programmes set to be prioritised over the coming years.
Together with this ongoing investment in equipment, during my time as Minister for Defence there has been continued investment in defence infrastructure, throughout the State, at an unparalleled level in the country’s history.
There are currently over €162 million worth of projects underway at different stages of development.
This year we will spend almost €60 million in capital investment and property maintenance costs - the highest level of annual investment ever.
Accommodation is a particular priority for me. In total, there are eleven accommodation projects with a combined value of over €60 million.
Furthermore, we have begun the process of developing masterplans for each Defence Forces installation, starting with Casement Aerodrome in Baldonnel. The masterplan approach will allow the department and the Defence Forces to develop installations at scale, as well as laying down the necessary infrastructure to support the Defence Forces into the future.
I want to talk now about the Working Time Directive, an issue that I know everyone here feels strongly about.
I want to reiterate my commitment to the removal of the blanket exemption which currently applies to the Defence Forces, in the Organisation of Working Time Act.
As you will be aware, I approved the agreed policy position, earlier this year, which involved extensive consultations with RACO and PDFORRA, as well as civilian-military management.
This achievement was in no small part owing to the constructive and committed engagement by all parties and I wish to express my gratitude to all concerned, including your Association, for your tireless efforts to bring us to this point.
The next step, in the process - bringing forward the appropriate legislative framework for removing the blanket exemption from the Organisation of Working Time Act - is the responsibility of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE).
I have engaged with the Minister and with the department and I’m assured that good progress has been made on the relevant Statutory Instrument, that the departments are working well together, and that the aim is to get it done by the end of this year.
I will certainly continue to push for that.
I am also pleased to tell you that work has advanced on the procurement of an electronic Time and Attendance solution to record the daily working hours of every member of the Defence Forces, which will be a critical enabler in taking forward the implementation of the Directive.
As I said, I know this is important to you.
It is also important to me, because I see the implementation of the Working Time Directive, across the Defence Forces, as another important retention measure, helping to ensure, as it will, that health and safety protections as prescribed in the Directive, are afforded to serving personnel.
In conclusion, the entire Irish Defence family continues to operate in a period of flux and uncertainty; a time of great change and a time of great opportunity.
We have an opportunity now for an era of growth and transformation of our Defence Forces; an opportunity to talk about what you do and how we defend our nation in a serious minded way, in a way that perhaps we have never done before as a country.
As Tánaiste and Minister for Defence, I am determined to take these opportunities and I hope that my actions to date demonstrate that fact.
I know that RACO, representing the leaders in our Defence Forces, will continue to play an important role in bringing about the changes that are necessary, as we move forward together.
I want to thank RACO Leadership for their ongoing energetic, but always constructive engagement with me, on a range of issues affecting you, their members.
Many of the improvements I have alluded to today have been delivered, in large part, through that engagement.
Finally, I would like to again thank you for showing flexibility and giving me the opportunity to address you today, and more importantly, I’d like to thank you for your service.
I also want to wish you, delegates, the very best with the remainder of your Conference.
Go raibh maith agaibh go léir.