Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for the comprehensive response to the incredibly comprehensive questions he was asked, which follows on from a comprehensive report from the commission. Within that, we get the scale of the challenges that face the Minister and the Department. However, behind all of that, we still have 270 personnel who have left the Defence Forces this year. This time last year, this committee visited the Haulbowline naval base. What we found there I can only describe as incredibly committed naval people at all levels. They outlined to us some incredibly grim experiences about their pay and conditions. If we visit that same naval base in 12 months, what differences would we notice? If we visit in two years' time, what differences would we notice? I could apply the same to McKee Barracks or the Curragh, but let us take Haulbowline as an example. What will we notice in a year or two?