Gerard Craughwell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

With regard to change in the Defence Forces, in recent years there have been 12 reviews of the Defence Forces. We appointed a head of strategic HR, much to my annoyance, in 2017. I am not aware of a single issue or change that has been brought since then. I do not know why we placed strategic HR outside the Defence Forces. It should be in with the people who understand the Defence Forces. As Deputy Berry said, the Chief of Staff should have the right to run his organisation.

I have a question on exit policy. Deputy Stanton mentioned the first line reserve. What effort is made when a soldier or a member of the Air Corps or Naval Service is getting ready to leave? What effort is made to retain their skills through the first line reserve? I am not sure any such effort is made.

We are about to enter a debate on neutrality and Ireland's future in the international arena. This matter probably falls outside the remit of Ms Sinnamon. I visited Tallinn in Estonia last year. The message I brought home from there is that there are no borders when it comes to cybersecurity. Whatever about NATO, I hope Ms Sinnamon's organisation is overseeing where we stand in the world of cybersecurity and, in particular, in the context of alliances with countries of like mind. I do not care whether they are in NATO. Ultimately, we are too small to stand alone. We are a small island and we need everybody possible to help us. Ms Sinnamon might come back to me on these issues. I do not expect her to respond to them today.