Opposition pushes back against attempt to restrict defence committee remit

By Gráinne Ní Aodha, PA

Opposition parties are looking to push back against Government attempts to restrict the remit of the Defence and National Security Committee.

The panel is to be chaired by Sinn Féin TD Rose Conway-Walsh.

The Dáil is expected to vote on the parameters within which Oireachtas committees will be set up.

The report of the Committee on Standing Orders and Dáil Reform on orders of reference and establishment of committees is to be voted on in the Dáil after 1pm on Wednesday.

Sinn Féin chief whip Pádraig Mac Lochlainn has written to Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy and the clerk of the Dáil submitting an amendment to the report of the Committee on Standing Orders and Dáil Reform.

The amendment says a footnote on page five – “national security encompasses cyber-defence, sub-sea critical infrastructure and related hybrid threats” – limits the remit of the committee and asks for it to be deleted.

A spokesman for Government Chief Whip Mary Butler said: “The committee is a thematic committee in the area of defence and national security as it pertains to that department.

“It is vital at this point that committees are established and commence their work.

“It would not be appropriate for a new committee to be intruding into areas already covered by other committees.”