Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)

This is exactly what the Minister is doing. The Chief of Staff is in charge of the Defence Forces and it is right and proper that the Minister has requested the Chief of Staff and the Secretary General of the Department to come back with options. It is not the Minister's job to micro-manage every aspect as this is the responsibility of the Chief of Staff. However, any good commander will engage in consultation with the professional organisation and with others. I do not envisage any lacuna in the information as regards the options. When the Minister is presented with those options through the proper and correct channels, and by the Chief of Staff and the Secretary General, all those options will be on the table for discussion and their implications will be clearly known.

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