Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)

Thanks to Fianna Fáil and its reckless handling of the economy, as well as its failure to capitalise on the benefits of the Celtic tiger years, Government expenditure in all areas must be reduced and substantially so in many areas. Consequently, instead of looking at areas of the Defence Forces in which to make worthwhile investments that would in turn improve and be of benefit to the Defence Forces and our international standing, the Government is forced into a position of making hard and difficult choices. Whatever stance Members on the other side of the House wish to adopt in this debate, the issue really is about using taxpayers' money in the most effective way and in a productive way-----

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