Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Yes. I know some members of the committee raised the issue of numbers in the Naval Service. One of our members, Deputy Stanton from Cork East, previously raised an issue around the fact that private companies are headhunting personnel from the Naval Service. He even reports that former members of the Naval Service are being offered something of a bounty in order to entice current members to leave the Naval Service and join the private sector. That would appear to be a particularly challenging issue. Will Mr. Keane comment on the extent to which he believes that is happening and suggest any possible solution or means by which it might be addressed? Deputy Brady and others have also raised specific issues regarding the Naval Service so I give the floor to Mr. Keane.