Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

I am anxious to ensure, in the difficult financial circumstances in which we find ourselves, that the Defence Forces retain their operational capabilities to contribute to international peacekeeping missions and to participate in providing assistance to the civil power when that is necessary, such as during the type of climatic emergencies we saw in the past 12 months. It is part of my objective to ensure, in so far as is possible, that we maintain levels of personnel in or about the current numbers. I am anxious to ensure we do not go below the 9,500 figure that is the position at present. In that context, an overall review is being undertaken as to how we can utilise resources most efficiently for the benefit of the Defence Forces to ensure no funding is wasted which results in no value for the expenditure, how we might ensure the Defence Forces operate with the maximum efficiency, and how best we might use the training received by members of the Defence Forces. That is part of the overall financial review being conducted in which we are looking at all aspects of Defence Forces expenditure. We may have choices between spending money on the maintenance of buildings and reducing numbers within the Defence Forces or between retaining numbers and making decisions that require other efficiencies. These are all matters under consideration at present. No final decisions have been made by Cabinet but they are under active consideration.

I share the Deputy's concern that numbers should not fall below 9,500. I welcome her concern and those of Deputies Durkan and Stanton, who expressed similar views. I am not trying to make a party political point. I think Deputies Calleary and O'Brien are probably of a similar view.

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