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

I would like to join in the Chairman's remarks. One of the nicest experiences I had in my 37 years in public life was the short term I spent as Minister for Defence. It is a unique position and very rewarding, dealing with people who are always very committed to what they are doing. Like everywhere else in life there is the odd bad apple but as a force they are tremendous and they represent this country very well, here and abroad. One could not buy the good publicity this country gets from the missions they participate in. I would like to think that the Minister of State would send, as the Chairman has asked, our good wishes and thanks to all members of the Defence Forces for the work they continue to do.