Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank our guests, particularly Ms Sinnamon, for being here and giving us that broad update.

I am concerned about the pace of implementation. It is well over a year since the publication of the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces. There are always ways in which the manner in which we meet stated objectives can be set out, and we have been told that 80% of the 38 early actions have been implemented or largely implemented. I am concerned because I believe early actions means early implementation of those actions, which would lead to broader concern regarding the wider set of recommendations that will exist. Ms Sinnamon referred to the recruitment and induction plan. When will that be at the implementation stage? What is the timeline for the joint induction training centre?

A major area of concern relates to the current numbers in the Defence Forces and the fact that we are well below the establishment figures. We are quite a bit off the commission's proposals on option 2, to the tune of some 3,500.

Ms Sinnamon spoke about the pay scales and some of the progress made in this regard. Is there any discernible evidence that these changes have already impacted, particularly in respect of retention? Have retention rates improved? Is there any further evidence in terms of recruitment rates that can be pointed to at this stage?