Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

The implication of this motion is that we should conduct the comprehensive review of expenditure that is under way on the basis that the taxpayer should continue to invest in something that is not required. Does that make any sense of any nature to anyone?

What I want to achieve in the comprehensive review of expenditure is the concentration of our investment in those areas of the Defence Forces which are important to its operational and overseas capabilities to ensure it is properly equipped and trained and that we do not need to reduce its strength substantially below the current strength of 9,500.

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