Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)

The Minister's answer is not much different from the last reply that was provided in this regard, which was on 11 March. It contains nothing specific. My concern is that the Defence Forces are now down to 9,877 which is 123 below the 10,000 level. Some 400 troops are returning from Chad and by the end of the year we may have only 70 troops serving abroad. Is there a danger, therefore, that there may be a temptation not to go ahead with recruitment? It is most important that young people are recruited into the Defence Forces as soon as possible. Quite apart from careers in the armed forces, there is also the issue of taking people off social welfare in some instances and, in other instances, releasing jobs that others can take up. Is there not a case for having a recruitment competition whereby panels could emerge from which people could be called throughout the year as positions become available? As things are progressing, it seems that at best it may be quite late in the year before recruitment takes place, but that is not good enough in this day and age.

The Minister referred to the Defence Forces being a credible organisation. I am concerned, however, that with more of our troops at home, there may be a temptation in the current economic climate not to recruit. In that case, the strength of the armed forces would not come back up to 10,000.

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