Gabrielle McFadden (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank my colleagues for allowing me to contribute now because, like Senator Bacik, I have to go to a Commencement matter debate in the Seanad. I apologise for leaving but I will come back later if the committee is still meeting. I welcome Dr. Mellett, Mr. Cotter and Mr. O’Halloran. This committee does not have oversight, as such, of the Defence Forces and the witnesses are under no obligation to come in. With that in mind, I am grateful that they have done so.

We are all aware of the issues of pay and working conditions and that it is not necessarily within the remit of the witnesses to fix it. I know from them personally that they would like to. We have no choice but to wait for the pay commission. My priority will always be proper pay for the ordinary personnel who get up early in the morning and go out to work for this State with great pride. I also feel that the measures put in place for retention will not, on their own, necessarily keep the numbers at 9,500. We have to have those retention measures and pay. I refer to duty pay, Rangers' pay and even down to rations and accommodation for recruits.

I have some questions in regard to the opening statement. I would love some more information on the development of the family-friendly measures that have been put in place. As Senator Bacik referred to, how do they include women? Can we get more women to join the Defence Forces and retain them? I would also love to know the exact number of members of the Defence Forces. In the White Paper, the figure mentioned is 9,500 but I do not know if the number is anywhere near that. I would like the witnesses to tell me that, if they can.

Are there sufficient resources for recruitment to the Defence Forces? If not, have more resources been requested and what was the reply? I know the witnesses cannot speak about the pay commission because it would not be appropriate. Similar to what Deputy Lisa Chambers said, I would like to know where we go if the pay commission does not come up with sufficient pay and conditions for Defence Forces' personnel? The restructuring of the Defence Forces and the loss of brigade status in my area was very contentious. What is the opinion of the witnesses as to how that new structure is working?