Cathal Berry (Kildare South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Ms Sinnamon and her team and thank Ms Sinnamon for her opening statement. I acknowledge the presence of Colonel Sean Grant from the British Embassy who is in the Public Gallery; he is a great friend of the Defence Forces.

From the outset I want to acknowledge the small bit of progress that has occurred, particularly over the last five years. The pay improvements are modest but helpful and ask Ms Sinnamon to comment. We understand from the Comptroller and Auditor General that even though there have been improvements in pay that Defence Forces personnel are still the lowest paid public servants in the country. That is my understanding and it would be good if we got some confirmation of that.

I acknowledge the progress made on premises and the budget as the extra €100 million will certainly help. Is it adequate? Of course not but it is progress in the right direction.

I welcome the comments that Ms Sinnamon made about the headcount. The stabilisation of numbers is very welcome. There might even be a net increase in Naval Service personnel by the end of this year of maybe a couple of dozen people but it is the first net increase in about a decade.