Press release
Tánaiste welcomes publication of Detailed Implementation Plan for Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces
Published on
Last updated on
Published on
Last updated on
The Tánaiste and Minister for Defence, Micheál Martin, today welcomed the publication of the Detailed Implementation Plan for the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces following Cabinet this morning.
The finalisation of the Detailed Implementation Plan is a further important step in transformation of our Defence Forces and builds on the publication of the Commission Report itself in February 2022, the High-Level Action Plan (HLAP) 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 across the Commission’s recommendations spanning:
Against the reality of the current global and European threat landscape, it is more important than ever that Ireland has a well-functioning, professional and well-equipped Defence Forces.
Much progress has been achieved since the Commission’s report was published, as part of our ongoing investment in our Defence Forces, including:
The Tánaiste said:
“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.
"A great deal of work still needs to be done and it will need concerted effort by all involved. A priority within this transformation is cultural change. The end goal of this cultural change is to ensure that the Defence Forces is well-resourced, reflective of contemporary Irish society, and a rewarding and attractive career path for new recruits.”
The Strategic Framework published in September, brings together into one overarching document, the immediate actions to be taken to support the transformation of the Defence Forces. The Detailed Implementation Plan forms a core element of the overarching Strategic Framework and achieving this end goal.
1. The Commission on the Defence Forces (CoDF) was established on foot of a commitment in the Programme for Government, and its report was published on 9 February 2022. There were 69 main recommendations and with sub recommendations there were 130 recommendations in total. Following consideration by the department and Defences Forces, a High Level Action Plan (HLAP) was approved by Government on 12 July 2022.
2. The High Level Action Plan set out the government response to each of the 130 individual recommendations, with 38 Early Actions. Work has continued to put in place structures to support transformative change, most recently through the publication of the Strategic Framework. These in turn have provided the building blocks for the finalisation of the Detailed Implementation Plan.
3. The plan sets out the ambitious timetable for delivery of the CoDF recommendations over the short, medium and long term, required to achieve Level of Ambition 2 by the end of 2028.
4. This includes:
5. The Detailed Implementation Plan is a living document. The plan will be updated to reflect adjustments to what is a dynamic operating environment, and to new priorities that may emerge due to the dynamic nature of the wider international security context.