Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)

I welcome the report and I thank Dr. Eileen Doyle and her committee for producing it. It demonstrates clearly the major cultural change in our Defence Forces and we must all acknowledge the progress made. What is the timescale for implementing the various recommendations in the recent report for further improvement? Will another review be conducted in a few years?

There is a distinction between training in a battle theatre environment and training in a barracks. I am sure that balance is being maintained because more robust communication is required in battle conditions than in an enclosed barracks. Will the Minister expand on this? Have complaints been made to Army personnel regarding field exercises other than those that occurred in the past in enclosed circumstances in barracks?

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