Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)

The Defence Forces have improved in every respect since 2000 through the implementation of the White Paper. Arising from the White Paper on Defence, a modern well-equipped Defence Forces has been created capable of meeting the needs of Government and the public and ensuring value for money. The White Paper on Defence set out a figure of 10,500 personnel for the Permanent Defence Force as the strength sufficient to deliver on the roles laid down by Government for domestic operations and to provide a sufficient pool for rotation for overseas missions as well as maintaining sufficient depth across the required range of skills.

Notwithstanding the success of the White Paper, we are now in challenging times. The economic reality is such that the Defence Forces must contribute to the correction of the public finances. It is intended, with the support of the chief of staff and within the resources available, to retain the capacity of the organisation to operate effectively across all roles. I am aware of the impact of the moratorium on the Permanent Defence Force, in particular in light of the very high turnover rate that is part of any military organisation. Within the available resources, the Government is committed to maintaining the strength of the Defence Forces at a level of 10,000 for all ranks, which I stated in a previous reply, for which Government approval has been secured in the context of the budget for 2010. This reflects the reductions in personnel recommended in the report of the special group on public service numbers and expenditure programmes.

Officials from the Department are continuing to engage with the military authorities in a review of structures and posts required to meet the operational requirements of the Defence Forces in light of the Government decision to maintain a complement of 10,000 personnel. It is expected that this review will be completed in March. It would, therefore, be inappropriate for me to comment on the outcome of the review at this stage. Following on from this review, discussions will commence with the Department of Finance to agree an overall structure for the Defence Forces, which is sustainable within a figure of 10,000 serving personnel in the Permanent Defence Force.

I am glad to say that while these are challenging times, the Defence Forces have risen to the challenge and are organised, equipped and staffed in a manner which will ensure that they can continue to deliver the services required of them by Government. I am advised that at this time the Defence Forces retain the capacity to undertake the tasks laid down by Government at home and abroad.

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