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

Okay. I do not see any other member offering. I would like to bring matters to a conclusion. I thank the witnesses for their presentations, and the general secretary, in particular, for his lengthy but very informative presentation. I thank Mr. Richardson, Mr. Gargan and Ms McCarthy for the comprehensive manner in which they dealt with our questions.

I was struck by the very stark and direct nature of the presentation. I detect one note of optimism, however, and that is with regard to the positive expectations on the matter of the publication of the final report on the Commission on the Defence Forces.

I acknowledge with some real sense of disappointment, however, the fact that none of the recommendations in the White Paper of six years ago has even been initiated, as I believe Mr. Richardson said, much less completed. It is absolutely essential that whatever recommendations are contained in the Commission, there will be a timeline in respect of implementation. In fact, that was an issue we specifically raised in our encounter with the chairman of the Commission earlier in the year.

This meeting was timely. In fact, members were keen that we would have this engagement prior to the budget. In terms of next steps, therefore, I would be very keen, as indeed would members, that we give the Minister a short presentation arising from the Reserve Defence Force Representative Association's engagement with us, with particular reference to recruitment and the issue of funding.

I hope that on the next occasion the witnesses appear before this committee we will be in a position to chart some positive developments, which, unfortunately, we have been unable to do this afternoon. Nevertheless, it was an important engagement with us, and we would be happy to follow up at the earliest opportunity, having regard to the fact that we are heading towards the closing cycle of budgetary negotiations. Notwithstanding that, the Minister will hear from us within the next 48 hours.

As for the matter of the legislative developments, the witnesses will be aware that much of the work on the new defence (amendment) Bill has been completed. I expect that will be completed in its entirety by the end of the year.

With that, I thank the witnesses for being with us. We look forward to a further encounter post publication of the report of the commission on the future of the Defence Forces.

I ask members to hold on because we have some private business.