95. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Defence her views on the matter of entry-level cadet pay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [72046/25]
Sentiment score: 0.02
We had a discussion a short time ago about specialist staff. Connected to that is the whole issue of cadet training and their experience. There is the issue of entry-level cadet pay. It has been well flagged by RACO, including at the conference a few weeks ago, and the fact that it has not kept pace with some of the other increases in the system.
Sentiment score: 0.04
The Minister said a while ago that she was going to meet all the representative organisations. I welcome that and hope that includes not only those for the Permanent Defence Force but also those for the Reserve Defence Force and the veterans' organisations. I am sure RACO will raise this issue with the Minister. The information she gave was in the longer run, when they are qualified and reach a certain rank. The issue here is at entry level. A cadet who joins - up to the age of 39 - earns €25,748 annually, or approximately €493 per week. A recruit in the enlisted ranks earns €540 per week in the first ten weeks, increasing to €617 for the following 16 weeks, and, after approximately six months, €860 per week. While it is obviously welcome that recruit pay has increased in general terms cadets' entry pay has not kept pace and they earn significantly less than their enlisted counterparts for the duration of a multiyear training programme. That anomaly needs to be considered.
Sentiment score: 0.19
97. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Defence the progress her Department has made regarding the establishment of a joint cybersecurity command and other actions related to cybersecurity contained in the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces. [72045/25]
Sentiment score: 0.19
We have spoken about how potential defence and national security issues will not always be what we have traditionally imagined. Cybersecurity and hybrid threats are going to be significant features of that. The cybersecurity command has been established, which was called for in the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces. That is very welcome, but progress in the implementation of its plans is what we now need. What is the current strength of the cybersecurity command? What will it be in 12 months’ time?
Sentiment score: 0.25
I appreciate that it was not specifically written in the question, but if the Minister has the figure to hand, what does she expect the strength to be by the end of next year? I would appreciate that. The architecture around the whole area of cybersecurity is a little bit complicated in the sense that the National Cyber Security Centre is responsible for protecting the State broadly speaking, the Garda has responsibility as a major intelligence organisation, and the Defence Forces are responsible for protecting themselves. It is a combination to some degree of all three where there is a hybrid element and a kinetic element to it. With the development of this command, what are its priorities? How does it intend to develop? How advanced are protocols for those hybrid cyber threats that include a kinetic element and can include a cyber element? Part of that is the responsibility of the National Cyber Security Centre, but some of it potentially falls to the Defence Forces.
Sentiment score: 0.28
It is very possible that future threats to our national security will potentially arise in a hybrid way. It is not inconceivable that we could have a kinetic or physical element to something, such as what we had with drones recently, as well as a co-ordinated cyberattack on Defence Forces' equipment, personnel and installations to hinder the ability of the Defence Forces to deal with the kinetic element of it, for example, drone interference with airports, infrastructure, visiting Heads of States and so on. The primary responsibility for the cyber element of that lies with the National Cyber Security Centre. Clearly, there need to be agreed protocols in relation to how that hybrid element or instances are dealt with. Is there such a protocol and how recently has it been concluded? Is there an agreed protocol between the National Cyber Security Centre, the Garda and the Defence Forces in terms of how they will respond? Is there a clear plan of action in those instances?
Sentiment score: 0.29
I support what Deputy O'Hara is asking for. I happened to be present at the presentation of a medal in 2019 to the family of Joe Murphy. It was presented to his nephew Henry Delaney and is a source of great pride to that family. If the evidence is there, these medals are very important to families and the local community. A issue that was raised with me by Jim Hegarty, a nephew of John Joe Hegarty who was a member of the old IRA, is that the rank of the volunteers seems to have been in records recognised in relation to the pro-Treaty side but not for the anti-Treaty side. The rank of those who fought in the Tan War and the War of Independence should be restored to those who fought on the anti-Treaty side subsequently.
Sentiment score: 0.17