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

I thank the Minister of State for attending. The White Paper update indicates that 42 projects have been initiated, which is less than half the total number of 95. To date, only 11 of those 95 projects have been completed. It is clear, therefore, that there has been an under-delivery in terms of the White Paper. As I just stated to Senator Ned O'Sullivan, there is very little detailed information in the Minister of State's statement. It was just an exercise in grammar and language. He explained very little in terms of what he is actually doing with regard to many key issues. I have a number of questions about some of the key issues that are fundamental to the White Paper.

The Chief of Staff was before the Public Service Pay Commission recently. I was very surprised to hear that the Chief of Staff was joined by two officials from the Department of Defence and two from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. I would see that as a muzzling of military management regarding its plea to the Public Service Pay Commission. Why did the Minister of State and his Department seek to attend that meeting with the Chief of Staff? Why did they not allow him to exercise his discretion with the commission?

My second question relates to my shock at seeing the effective strength as of March 2019. We have 45% strength in the First Brigade, 45% strength in the Second Brigade, 34% strength at the Defence Forces training centre, 22% strength in the Air Corps and 23% strength in the Naval Service. This is a complete destruction of effective strength in our Defence Forces. Why did the Minister of State not address that in his White Paper update? Why did he not address the serious issues of retention and recruitment? There was not a word or syllable from the Minister of State about the significant exodus we are seeing and the failure to deal with it. We are seeing a significant spillover on an ongoing basis.

Could the Minister of State provide an update on the current recruitment campaign for the Naval Service and the Reserve? There are concerns that it has been either suspended or delayed because of a difficulty between the Department and others involved in the process. Can the Minister of State clarify whether the campaign is continuing as normal? What is the position regarding the recruitment campaign, which was well publicised by the Minister of State and others in recent months?

I also want to get the Minister's view on cybercapability and cybersecurity. Can he outline how many staff are in the cybersecurity unit? What have the Defence Forces provided for around cyber-capability in terms of personnel, resources and responsibilities? I understand that there are four positions. Is the Minister of State satisfied that this is sufficient to protect us against the threats we face? Today, President Macron outlined the serious destabilising effect on democracies across Europe if we do not address significant cyber issues. How prepared is the Department for that? Can the Minister of State brief the committee on the development plan to achieve this capability?

Can the Minister update the committee on the ongoing EU Partnership for Peace in-depth evaluation of Ireland's military capability? In the interests of transparency, will he commit to publishing its contents when it has been concluded? Can he update the committee regarding where the Department is in the context of the implementation of the two PESCO projects to which it has signed up?

My next question concerns something that might not, but should be, mentioned in the White Paper. We saw the departmental change that occurred in the Department of Finance during the recession and across a number of Departments. What is the Department of Defence doing to ensure it possesses staff with appropriate academic qualifications - such as degrees, masters degrees or PhDs - in international relations and security and defence? This is something that has been mirrored across other Departments. Could the Minister of State clarify how many members of staff are qualified in those areas? What are the Minister of State's plans to bring forward any legislation to allow the Reserve to provide time in terms of training, as is the norm in other countries?

Brexit was mentioned by a previous speaker. What bilateral discussions have taken place with the UK regarding a hard Brexit?

Has there been any contingency planning? Obviously, Ireland has an informal agreement on air defence cover and the Minister of State needs to clarify the position in respect of it. He needs to clarify what discussions his Department has had regarding those matters.