Defence

Bills affecting the Defence Forces, military service, peacekeeping and reserve.

9 bills tracked under this topic.

Allows Irish gardaí, soldiers, civil servants, and former ministers to give evidence to the UK's Omagh Bombing Inquiry.
Amends the 2019 International Co-operation Act to enable this evidence-sharing for the inquiry into the 1998 bombing.
Permits testimony from current and former state officials to assist UK investigation into the Omagh attack.

Restricts use of 'Óglaigh na hÉireann' and 'Defence Forces' terms to official Irish Defence Forces only.
Amends Defence Act 1954 to prevent other organisations using these protected titles in their names.
Aims to protect Defence Forces branding and prevent confusion with non-official military-style groups.

Creates external oversight body for Defence Forces with specified functions to monitor military operations and conduct.
Amends Defence Act 1954, National Archives Act 1986, Defence Amendment Act 1990, and Ombudsman (Defence Forces) Act 2004.
Bill enacted; practical effects of oversight body establishment and legislative amendments now in force.

Changes court procedures for sexual offence trials: how evidence is presented, questions asked, public access, verdicts announced, and protects complainant anonymity.
Creates operational committee to identify human trafficking victims, provide support services, and protect certain people from deportation.
Updates laws on child sexual abuse material and trafficking prosecutions to align with international child protection conventions.

Controls export of dual-use items (civil or military use) and military items; requires licenses for brokering services and technical assistance related to these goods.
Replaces the 2008 Control of Exports Act; implements EU rules on export controls, including transit restrictions and information sharing between authorities.
Minister grants export authorizations; creates appeals panel for license decisions, with confidentiality protections given the sensitive national security nature of appeals.

Minister for Defence gets formal powers to manage civil defence; local authorities must take on civil defence responsibilities under new framework.
Creates register of civil defence volunteers; establishes civil defence officers role; allows government to fund civil defence activities and set codes of practice.
Repeals previous civil defence laws and provides transition arrangements to implement this new Act.

Allows Defence Forces to take bodily samples from military suspects for DNA testing in military law offences.
Establishes a DNA database for military police to store and compare DNA profiles from suspects, volunteers, and elimination samples.
Permits sample destruction and database removal in certain circumstances; amends Defence Act 1954 and related legislation.

Updates Defence Act 1954 and three subsequent amendments to modernize military law and procedures.
Specific changes not detailed in long title; enacted amendments address related Defence Act matters.
Information on practical effect missing — bill's substantive content requires examining enacted text.

Creates a lapel badge to honor former members of Irish Army, Air Corps, Naval Service, and Reserve Defence Forces.
Badge recognizes service but bill lapsed in 2017—not enacted into law.
Sponsor Victor Boyhan proposed this; practical details on eligibility and design not specified in long title.