Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate that there is a vote in the Dáil but I have three questions. Could the Minister of State address the issue of capital expenditure? A total of €98 million in capital expenditure was announced for 2018 to 2021. Can the Minister of State give me a breakdown about where the funding will be spent? We mentioned recruitment. Over the past decade, the number entering the Defence Forces was only greater than the number of those leaving in it in 2013, 2014 and 2016. I know other members have highlighted this. What measures have been taken to ensure the rate of intake continues to be greater than the number leaving? Can the Minister of State reassure us that the number of cadets entering the Defence Forces exceeds the number of officers leaving it?

Regarding industrial relations and pay, which were already mentioned, will the Minister of State ensure that the Department makes a submission to the Low Pay Commission outlining the challenges facing the Defence Forces because this is a major issue. Many constituents in my area in Sligo are based in Bundoran, Ballyshannon and Finner. Could the Minister of State update the committee about his intentions to renew the conciliation and arbitration scheme within the Defence Forces?