Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

This is slightly more complicated. I acknowledge the manner in which the Defence Forces have adapted over more than a decade to the changing circumstances. Their continuing dedication to reform is admirable.

The Minister has signalled his intention when he publishes the Green Paper to move to a two brigade structure. What sort of savings will arise from that reorganisation? We can go back ten or 15 years when the Defence Forces had very poor equipment. One of the achievements of the 14 years the Minister loves to refer to was the substantial improvements in the quality and range of equipment available to the Defence Forces. Given we are now operating internationally in a completely different environment, are we still replacing equipment as required? Are we getting better value for money from the equipment?

It is quite frightening how regularly the explosive ordnance disposal unit is being called out. Can the Minister estimate the cost to the taxpayer of that increased number of call-outs?

I welcome the announcement of the date for the publication of the Green Paper. We all look forward to engaging with the Minister on it.

On the question of civilian employees in the Department of Defence, in the time I have had available to me, I have not been able to identify the levels of retirement among the civilian employees. What is the trend and what costs are there? In future, to what extent will civilians be employed to work along side Defence Forces personnel?