Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is important to make a distinction between policy decisions and a process that was agreed and is under way in the Defence Forces to try to bring this issue to a conclusion by finding an acceptable and reasonable compromise.

That is what we have been trying to do through arbitration and we have now moved to a third-party process. Instead of making a political decision on the basis of lobbying or in an effort to be popular, we are seeking a solution that is in the best interests of the Defence Forces and the people who serve within it by ensuring they are of an age and health profile to do the very difficult work they need to do. We have had many examples of the demands of that work, particularly overseas, in recent months. The primary concern here must be to ensure we have the right age profile in the Defence Forces so that people are prepared for and able to cope with the tough life of a soldier.

It is important, of course, to look after people who have been in the Defence Forces and take into account their personal circumstances. It is also important that we provide an avenue into the forces for new recruits. We must have a constant feed of fresh blood in the form of young and fit men and women. In order to facilitate that, we have to take people out of the system.

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