Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)

As regards relying on the goodwill of foreign armies, it works both ways. If one examines the delivery of medical services in Liberia, the Irish have medics there, too, who are delivering services to non-Irish personnel.

As regards the Deputy's other point, I suppose it is a question of providing further incentives. I have discussed this matter with the Chief of Staff and those directly responsible in the Defence Forces who have agreed to take a fresh look at the situation to see if we can recruit more doctors. I acknowledge that there is a problem because the medical corps is only at half its established strength.

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