Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)

I thank the Minister for his comprehensive reply. We can join him in congratulating the Defence Forces, particularly given the high esteem in which they are held and the manner in which they discharge their duties worldwide. Notwithstanding the straitened economic circumstances in which we find ourselves, would it be helpful, given their experience, to, at least, keep open the prospect of meeting other deployment requirements that might arise from time to time, lest in the current economic climate the Defence Forces would not be as available as they otherwise would be? I know that is a Government decision and I respect that. However, I ask the Minister to keep in mind the necessity in order to have well-equipped and sharp Defence Forces and to have them on regular duty of that nature.

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