The Government is proceeding with what Tánaiste and Minister for Defence Micheál Martin has described as "groundbreaking" plans to reconfigure the command and control structures at the top of the Defence Forces.
The Cabinet this morning approved a memo brought by Mr Martin to amend existing legislation to enable a change in structure following recommendations made in the Commission on the Defence Forces.
Speaking as he arrived at Government buildings, Mr Martin described the planned changes as "groundbreaking", adding that current legislation, which dates back to 1954, is not fit for purpose.
The development comes as there is increased focus on the Defence Forces as the Government was told last week there were 68 members of the forces facing charges or who had been convicted of criminal offences.
Addressing the controversy, Mr Martin said: "I am very concerned as it does set back the agenda of modernising our defence forces and also making it an attractive location for people to join."
He said "we do need culture transformation" and he said he raised this with the Chief of Staff during a meeting yesterday, adding that "he is working to try bring that about".
Mr Martin said there is still a lot of work to be done in that regard.
The proposed new structure will see the creation of a new chief of defence, replacing the current chief of staff role.
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Under the plans the Minister for Defence will delegate command to the chief of defence as the head of the Defence Forces.
There would be a head of each service (i.e., the head of the army, the head of the navy, the head of the air force) and a joint force commander/vice chief of defence.
A new Defence Forces' HQ will also be created, which will report to the new chief of defence.
This HQ will contain an assistant chief of defence, and the head of transformation (a civilian role that has already been appointed).
The roles and responsibilities for the new chief of defence would include:
- Principal military adviser to the minister
- Central role in the operation of budgets and ensuring the efficient and economical management of Defence Force activities and resources
- Submit an annual defence plan to the minister each year
- On-island distribution and movement of troops, ships and aircraft with ministerial approval
Under the plans the chief of defence will have military control, with clearer statutory roles and responsibilities, and more clarity in the defined roles of the Department of Defence and Defence Forces.
According to the Government, this will create more efficient operational decision making, and reporting lines.
Additional reporting Karen Creed
