174. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Defence when the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2025 will be brought before Dail Éireann; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53647/26]

I wish to thank the Deputy for his question. This legislation is a key priority for me as Minister for Defence and for the Government.

The primary purpose of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2026 is to consolidate, with amendments, the existing provisions of the Defence Acts 1954 to 2015 concerning the despatch of members of the Defence Forces for service outside the State.

These amendments will include the modification of the existing requirement regarding the so-called ‘triple lock’ mechanism in relation to the despatch of the Defence Forces for service outside the State as part of an International United Nations Force. In effect, the requirement for a UN mandate will be removed.

The Bill also amends the Defence Act 1954 to provide for the suspension of members of the Defence Forces so as to give effect to recommendations in the report on the management of members of the Defence Forces charged with, or convicted of, serious criminal offences, prepared by Mr Peter Ward SC which was published in December 2024.

Following approval by Government on 9 June 2026, the Bill has been published on the Oireachtas website and it will be progressed in the new Dáil term.