Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate that. I mentioned a harassment case earlier. I could not blame Dr. Mellett for being unaware of the details of such a case, except for the fact that it was in the media and was quite unusual in that it required the disciplining of a person. This issue, however, is on a different level because it relates to a key naval function. If there are not enough staff, that is a problem. It seems to be the first time that this has happened. It may have been kept quiet on previous occasions and perhaps the fact that it has leaked out on this occasion is an indication of low morale. There has been a lot of talk about positive measures being undertaken. I do not doubt Dr. Mellett's intention in this regard but, on the ground, the outcomes are going backwards and morale is getting worse. Whatever systems are in place they do not seem to be working, something we see in the context of retention and in the service level agreement relating to coastal protection.