Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Out of respect for other members, I did not ask further questions earlier.

Dr. Mellett has mentioned that he wants to engage with the Public Service Pay Commission to give his narrative and perspective. It is slightly unusual that he would plead publicly with a pay commission based on a submission on which he says he signed off.

Why does there have to be a public plea and an engagement if Dr. Mellett is full square behind the submission that was made? We know it contained none of the recommendations he submitted to the Department of Defence. Why is that required if he can fully justify what was submitted? What if the Public Service Pay Commission comes back with the same recommendations as it did with regard to nurses and other healthcare professionals? In that case, there is dissatisfaction and we have not seen any improvement. Based on the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform's recommendations we will probably not see improvements. Dr. Mellett said he is fully behind what was submitted. Will he clarify why he needs this public plea if he is fully satisfied with what he says he signed off on? When does he expect the retention policy to be published? When does he expect the Defence Forces to meet the White Paper target of 9,500? Will he give an update on his engagement at a European level regarding PESCO and what involvement the Irish military has had in that? Will he give some operational updates?

The Comptroller and Auditor General expressed concerns about the cybersecurity unit within the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment. Dr. Mellett mentioned cybercrime in his opening statement. Would he like to see the Defence Forces build greater expertise there? In terms of defence policy, are we fit for purpose in terms of the growing concerns the public and private sector have about cybersecurity? Ireland deals with cybersecurity as an IT management issue rather than a security issue. There are people seconded to that Department but the Comptroller and Auditor General stated it had no strategic direction and serious concerns were mentioned. Would Dr. Mellett like to see something established within his policy responsibilities around that issue?