Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As someone who grew up close to the Curragh and who has huge admiration for and pride in the Defence Forces, I am delighted to have an opportunity to speak on this very important issue. However, I cannot let the comments of the previous speaker go without pulling up Deputy Troy on his and his party, Fianna Fáil’s, great concern about the strength of the Permanent Defence Force. He might want to take up the matter with his colleague, Deputy Niall Collins, the party’s spokesperson on justice, who in recent years has consistently criticised Fine Gael and the Government on ongoing recruitment campaigns for the Defence Forces and committing to maintain the strength at 9,500.

I am not sure whether it is the Fianna Fáil justice spokesperson or Deputy Troy who speaks on Fianna Fáil policy. It is a bit rich for Fianna Fáil to lecture us about the lack of personnel in the Defence Forces when its justice spokesperson has consistently criticised us for ongoing recruitment in the Defence Forces, which was crucial and has proven necessary. Defence policy can be taken for granted, given that we hope it will never have to be used. Threats can be invisible. Deputy Clare Daly's comments earlier were astounding. As someone from Kildare who is very closely connected with the history of the Defence Forces, I cannot understand such comments about dismantling our Defence Forces. It shows a blatant disregard for the great work so many of our serving and former personnel have done.

The Defence Forces, comprising the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service, carry out a very important role in many different areas. When discussing defence policy in the next ten years, it is important we consider how it will be funded. Like all Departments, defence spending has contracted significantly. As the State's finances improve, we must increase the amount of money allocated to defence. I hope the White Paper will outline a systematic rise over the lifetime of the paper that will seek to bring our defence budget closer into line with our European partners. While we are very quick to compare ourselves with our European partners, we lag behind in defence spending and could do more. While all Departments have cut their spending, we must consider this. The White Paper must take account of the threats we face now and over the lifetime of the paper, including cybersecurity, improvised explosive devices that, unfortunately, are cropping up all too often throughout the country, fisheries protection, organised crime, international terrorism, drugs trafficking, people smuggling and piracy. These risks cannot be taken for granted by a State and they represent only a portion of the issues from which our Defence Forces protect us. We must ensure adequate budgets are allocated in future to allow our Defence Forces to continue their great work in protecting our country.

In his address, the Minister mentioned the scope to develop a new international institute for peace support and leadership at the Defence Forces training centre in the Curragh. On a number of occasions, the Minister and I have discussed the possibility of expanding the role of the Defence Forces training centre in the Curragh and to draw on the very significant history, tradition and experience our personnel have in conflict resolution. An institute that would address national and international needs, security education and region building in a manner which generates a comprehensive approach to conflict resolution is to be welcomed and is the right thing to do. I hope such plans are ambitious enough and get the support of the Government. It is something we could seek to grow and expand in the Curragh area.

I mentioned the scope for defence to contribute to Ireland's economic recovery through further engagement with Irish enterprise, research and education sectors. It is also important we consider the transition our serving personnel have to make when their time in the Defence Forces ends. Given that we want to maintain robust and agile Defence Forces, our personnel must retire earlier than in other professions, which brings challenges, as I know from some of my constituents who have struggled with the transition from the Defence Forces to the private sector. The White Paper should address the issue. We could do more to support our personnel as they make the transition from service to the State, given that these men and women have done the State a great service during their time in the Defence Forces.

I greatly welcome the new employment support scheme the Minister referenced, which would be aimed at a specific age group from 18 to 24 and target individuals who might otherwise struggle to break out of cycles of disadvantage and who are likely to benefit from the programme and regime the Defence Forces could offer. The Minister mentioned the Defence Forces' corporate social responsibility initiative, and the employment support scheme would be very much in keeping with its role. I am delighted to have the opportunity to work on this and I look forward to the White Paper.

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