Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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I am delighted to say that for the first time in 11 years, there will be a commissioning on 13 or 14 March. It is the first time there has been a commissioning from the ranks, where members of the Defence Forces' ranks will be fully commissioned, which is brilliant. While I am not sure of the exact number, it is approximately 26 or 27 and I will revert to the Deputy in that regard.

On the pay commission, I have provided Deputy Jack Chambers with a briefing. The matter goes back to 2017, when, under my direction, the Department tried to spot issues with recruitment and retention in the Defence Forces and bring them to the attention of the pay commission, which produced its initial report in May 2017. The report highlighted recruitment and retention issues in the health system and within the Defence Forces, both of which were prioritised. The commission concluded its work on health in October or November 2018 and I hope that it will report soon in respect of recruitment and retention within the Defence Forces. I reiterate that the Secretary General of the Department, the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces and officials from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform met the pay commission earlier, and I will receive a full briefing later. Much work is ongoing in the background where members of the Defence Forces are being consulted. As I have stated previously, the commission is fully independent and when it will report is a matter for it to decide.

On recruitment, on which I provided some detail, we will advertise to that effect shortly.