Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Military personnel have visited secondary schools to encourage females to apply for the Permanent Defence Force. We all observed the successful visits by military personnel to primary schools to present flags and copies of the Proclamation. Perhaps a similar campaign could be copied and pasted, so to speak, in secondary schools, beginning with transition year students. While permission must be obtained from secondary schools and career guidance issues are involved, I will convey the views of members to my officials and the Defence Forces and ask what can be done about the issues raised.

I have a genuine interest in the Reserve Defence Force, which is very strong in County Wexford and many other towns and counties. We want to retain the ethos of the Reserve which offers people an opportunity to see at first hand what military life entails. They can then join the Permanent Defence Forces if they wish.