Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Thursday, 29 November 2018

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence

Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Supplementary)

11:30 am

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

It strikes me that in this day and age when people are healthy, living longer and are active and fit, especially Army personnel, it is a great loss, not only in terms of having to recruit people to replace them but of experience. That cannot be bought. Twenty years is a very short time. If somebody goes in at the age of 18 they are gone at 38. The best part of their working life is still in front of them. I am not saying they should stay until they are 65 or anything like it. We have to be practical but we need to keep people with experience. People are trained, they do a great job and we are very proud of them but our troops are not actively engaged in warfare or dangerous work. By and large, they do peacekeeping missions and do that exceptionally well.

I am glad to hear that as part of his White Paper the Minister of State is reviewing all these things. They can trundle along. Maybe people are leaving but experience cannot be bought in any walk of life. I would suggest but maybe I am wrong that when the economy picks up and other opportunities arise it puts a tremendous strain on the Defence Forces, because there are plenty of options for people to leave and get other employment. They are very good personnel. An employer in any walk of life would love to have them. From the country's point of view and that of the Defence Forces, and the role we play in peacekeeping which is very important and which I am very proud of maybe we should be seriously reconsidering. I accept what the Minister of State said, that he is producing a White Paper and is considering this. I am glad to hear that is the case.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.