Cathal Berry (Kildare South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I will be as brief as I can. I again thank the Tánaiste and his team for attending. I commend our troops including Private Wilson out in the Middle East. As bad as the situation in the Middle East is, one can imagine how bad it would be if UNIFIL and UNDOF were not there. I extend a massive commendation to our troops out there who are doing a terrific job.

I acknowledge the improvement from a medical enhancement point of view for enlisted personnel. It is definitely a positive. The second Airbus 295 arrived in Baldonnel yesterday. That is an investment of €230 million, which is good. In approximately 20 months' time we will have a third one in the family. We will have a third Airbus 295 - a freighter version. That is the first time in my life I can remember a major capability jump for the Defence Forces. We will be able to deploy troops and vehicles for evacuation operations or whatever is required. There is some positivity. There was also a comment in the briefing note about a proposal to increase the maximum entry age to 35. I think that would be a good idea in light of what An Garda Síochána did last week. It is certainly worth considering. I will focus my questions on funding. Page 2 of the opening statement outlines that there is a move from €1.1 billion to €1.5 billion by 2028. That is the situation, but the then Minister, Deputy Coveney, was very clear when he appeared before the committee that it is €1.5 billion in 2028 at January 2022 figures. He clearly suggested that €2 billion should be the target figure for 2028. That should be the level of ambition. My concern is that we will fall well short if we continue on the current trajectory. It is six budgets. We are two budgets in and we are still only at €1.23 billion. I ask the Tánaiste to bear that one in mind.

The Tánaiste also mentioned that additional funding is likely to come on stream from the national development plan that was not mentioned in the budget. It would be useful if he could point out what that additional funding could or should be.

I also have a question about the high-level implementation plan. I think there is one due for publication at the end of the month. I will repeat what the Chair has said. That is an ideal opportunity to get very specific with regard to the implementation of the Commission of the Defence Forces. To have funded, targeted and timelined implementations would certainly help from that perspective. It is that time of the year when there may be some money left over at the end of the budget. I am not sure where we are. Are we on profile, or above or below?