Professor Brian MacCraith:

I can certainly cover some of the points and perhaps colleagues will want to join in. I have noted down - I hope accurately - Senator Craughwell's points. He spoke about staffing and middle management issues. Going back to our visit to Cork, when we arrived the GOC and senior team gave us a very comprehensive overview. We were all struck by the gaps that Senator Craughwell spoke about. These are the gaps between the establishment numbers and the actual numbers, and the gaps at various levels. There is also the gender gap but that is not what Senator Craughwell has asked about. It is very important that it be addressed. It is not explicitly within our remit as such. It straddles other areas, certainly in terms of its relationship to the culture, morale and proper functioning. It is not in our current work plan but it will be very shortly, in particular in our engagement with the head of transformation and the head of strategic HR in the Defence Forces. We will be looking at recruitment and promotion. It is an issue; it was very stark to see the numbers, I have to say. One could not feel comfortable about it.

The issue of the representative associations has come up again. I will stick to what we have agreed is our view on this. Membership of the body is a matter for the Minister and the Government, and we will act accordingly. The two potential positions reflect a different need for us, focusing on very specific technical expertise. The example I gave the Cathaoirleach was of someone who can bring international best practice. It is a different sort of contribution. We think it would be very beneficial if we could do this. It is a different issue.

Senator Craughwell spoke about the toxic relationship between the uniform and the Department. We have no experience of it. We engage as a body, including the Secretary General, with the Chief of Staff on a regular basis, and with his senior team depending on the topic we are covering. I have to say the engagements have been positive. There is bedding in. This is a new reality for the Defence Forces. The existence of an external oversight body that is transitioning to be a statutory body is different. It is new. This has to be worked through. I can say that from our side it is proceeding in the right direction. We are aware of the amount of change the Defence Forces are having to grapple with. We are conscious of it. We have not encountered, directly or indirectly, the issue Senator Craughwell has spoken about.