Gabrielle McFadden (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As a politician I have always done whatever I can to support the Minister of State, or whoever is the Minister, and the Defence Forces. I do, however, need to ask some of the questions. I never doubt the Minister of State's pride in the Defence Forces, and I never doubt his or Fine Gael's commitment to the Defence Forces. We all know that pay and conditions are obviously a huge issue. I appreciate that the military management submitted their document to the Department, which has forwarded it to the Public Service Pay Commission. That is, however, all taking a very long time. While this process is happening, members of the Defence Forces are applying for family income support. Some members of the Defence Forces are sleeping in their cars. As a proud supporter of the Defence Forces I cannot accept that any member of the Defence Forces who wears the uniform with pride should ever have to rely on family income support. I cannot accept that we have to wait for the Public Service Pay Commission to come back on this. It should be dealt with.

Previous speakers spoke of retention, which is a huge issue. From information the Minister of State gets on the ground, what is the morale of soldiers? From what I hear it is not very positive. Pay for duty is a way we can restore pay for Defence Forces personnel. This is vital for the serving members.

I was at Farmleigh House for the launch of the White Paper, but there were not too many others there on the day. It was a great day. We spoke of the future of the Defence Forces in the next ten years. Here we are and pay and conditions are still an issue. I would love the Minster of State to address those issues for me.

I am sorry to rush off but I must be in the Seanad Chamber for 11 a.m. I thank the Minster of State.