Mr. Martin Ryan:

When we consider the reports that come before Government, we must remember that the people who scrutinise them most are the internal members of the Defence Forces. That is the most worrying thing. When statistics like 95% are thrown out as confirmed, it gives the impression that all is good and all is progressing well when internally, the members do not feel that and do not see that. They know that this statement lacks credibility and that is a problem. This is something we have advised on before in terms of not using statistics that do not hold up internally. When you are reporting to committees here and reporting everywhere, the most important audience is the internal audience of the Defence Forces. They are hanging on every word. They are watching everything. That is how much they care about the organisation so when they hear things like that, it is hard to call them truisms.