Diarmuid Wilson (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Ms McCrum. I read an article earlier today on thejournal.ie by Niall O'Connor, who seems to have been well informed about what would be said at this meeting. I congratulate him on that. The following statement in his article aligns with what has been outlined by the Secretary General and her colleagues: "The military also plans to introduce a direct entry scheme for qualified civilian controllers to join the Defence Forces." My understanding is that this mechanism has been used in the past. If it was used in the past, why was it necessary to introduce it as a new measure? Why was it not used all along if we are having difficulties with recruitment?