Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I want to finish my contribution and then the Senator can contribute. It is not acceptable that I be interrupted in this way. I know people coming out of college and what they are getting. This is a good thing because we want to attract people into the Defence Forces. It needs to be acknowledged that these pay increases have improved matters again. We need to do more.

Recently, secondary healthcare was granted to all enlisted personnel. This is a substantial advance. There have been no clarion calls from any representative body saying that this is a great thing. RACO had its views on it, but I will leave them where they are. It did not publicly say yea or nay. The fact of the matter is that for the first time ever in the history of the State, enlisted personnel now have access to private healthcare. That needs to be acknowledged as a prudent contribution and enhancement.

I would invite the committee to visit the barracks around the country or go to Haulbowline where the members will see first hand-----