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

I am not sure about that. What I do know is that it is predicted there will be another 100 inductees by the end of the year, amounting to 400 this year which would be a significant improvement in terms of where we were but we have a long way to go. We approved the White Paper only a couple of months ago. That involves much positive change. In many ways we have a new chapter for the Defence Forces which will be very positive. Despite the fact that other parties want to reduce spending on defence, I am glad to say we will increase spending on defence to ensure our troops are safe and can do the peacekeeping jobs we ask them to do and that they have the right equipment to do that.

We will see growth in the Reserve and new and better equipment available for our Permanent Defence Forces. That is what I am trying to deliver, both through the White Paper and as a Minister. That will result in more people wanting to be part of the Reserve in the future. We will try to continue to adjust, assess and improve the recruitment process to make sure that happens.

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