Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)

I am sure the Minister would agree that the Defence Forces, as an organisation, are based on promotion. It is critical that people be promoted to ensure a young, fit, streamlined and effective defence force.

Will there be a cadet intake this year? If not, it will be for the first time in the history of the State. Has the Minister discussed with the Minister for Finance the critical appointments that the former must make within the Defence Forces to ensure that they can carry out their role in aid to the civil power and participate in future overseas missions? I would like the Minister to answer these two critical questions.

See this speech in context