Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

To follow on form what Senator Lawless has just said, it is 36 years since I was elected to this House and I have never received a more damning report. I am ashamed that I was once a Minister for Defence in the 1990s when the Defence Forces Reserve was always a very important aspect of the overall structure. There is no point in condemning beyond what has already been said. What I propose is that we send the exact copy of Mr. Richardson's address to the Minister for Defence and to the chief of staff of this committee, ask for comments on the points raised and request that they attend before this committee to answer the charges contained in the report.

There is no point in having a meeting in which we can listen to people expressing their disappointment and concern. I am anxious to have the matter rectified and the only way we can do that at this committee is to suggest, as I have done and I hope the committee will support me, that it be brought into the open and that people attend to answer these charges. We could then take a decision on how we make a recommendation on changes should be made. Like Senator Billy Lawless, I am deeply disappointed that there is this feeling. Very serious allegations have been made and they should be fully investigated.