Noel Grealish (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

How many vacancies are there at present in the Army, the Naval Service and the Air Corps and how many positions are not filled? We have heard questions being asked in the Dáil, particularly about vacancies in the Air Corps, from which there has been an exodus of members.

I think my next question has been asked. We are all very proud of the members of the Defence Forces who serve abroad. I concur with what Deputy Tony McLoughlin said about the work done by Army personnel during the storm. Any time there is a crisis, they are there to be called upon and we must acknowledge the tremendous work they do. What is the total cost of their service abroad? What moneys are recouped from the United Nations or various governments, including those in the Middle East or along the Mediterranean where Irish personnel worked in dealing with the refugee crisis? We are very proud of how Naval Service personnel served there. What were the costs in that regard and was any of the money recouped from the European Union or the United Nations? What is the cost arising from Army members serving abroad with the United Nations? How much do we get back? Will the Minister of State update me on the matter?

What will be the role of the Army in the context of Brexit and the talk of a hard or soft border? Are plans being drawn up and costings put in place to determine whether Army personnel need to be redeployed at the Border to stop smuggling that could happen in the event that there is a hard or soft border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland?