Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)

I note the Defence Forces have lost a doctor since November as the House was informed last month that the strength of the medical corps was 23.

What is the Minister's view on comments by RACO and its general secretary, Colonel Brian O'Keeffe, that the Department of Defence needs to think outside the box and introduce creative thinking on this matter? RACO also proposed annual check-ups of military personnel should be contracted outside the medical corps.

I am concerned with the drop in medical corps numbers when soon six doctors will be required to accompany the peacekeeping mission to Chad. RACO also gave a startling figure that only one Irish doctor has been recruited in the past five years.

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