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

I apologise for being delayed, I was in a meeting. Thankfully, due to the current state of the economy and the demands that are on everybody, it is only natural that the Defence Forces will suffer in being able to recruit the necessary number and quality of people that it wishes to have. That is a fact and the fact that X number apply and B number turn up for interview is part and parcel of the recruitment process. Would members mind staying quiet while I make my point? That is a serious situation but it is the reality because of the current position of our economy. There are other options for people. It is time that we had a review of what exactly we are going to ask the Defence Forces to do in terms of its priorities as long as this situation pertains. The reality is that there are so many options now for people that those who would have joined the Defence Forces in hard times because of a lack of job opportunities are no longer available and that is why a large number are applying and a smaller number are following on and attending for interview. That is the reality of the times we live in. I know that this will be a bit of a heresy when I say this but in terms of trying to spread our wings too far we have to review our commitments overseas in light of this current situation. We need to specify what our priorities are for our Defence Forces and the numbers that are available to us because we cannot spread butter that thinly. We will not have the numbers required to spread it that far and I ask the Minister of State if he has reviewed the situation. It is all very well taking on board overseas commitments. I have been a Minister for Defence and I know that it is part and parcel of the Defence Forces that it loves doing overseas duties but if we are short of personnel for works here at home then we have to prioritise that. Do we have sufficient numbers in the Defence Forces at present to spread our wings so widely and should we review the exact roles that we should be participating in?