Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We are I suppose at this stage going over ground we have already covered. As such, I will be brief.

The Minister spoke about the demands which the reorganisation is placing on members of the Defence Forces. It is important to say that Defence Force personnel are dealing with this reorganisation and are looking to the Minister's promised White Paper which may bring further reorganisation. What is the current strength of the Defence Forces? Perhaps the Minister would also give us some indication of the reaction of serving members to the demands of the reorganisation. As I understand it, many young, talented and highly skilled personnel, in which the Department of Defence has invested heavily in terms of training and upskilling, are actively leaving the Defence Forces resulting in a significant loss of experience and talent which will be a serious blow to the future development of the Defence Forces.

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