Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I understand the Deputy's concerns. It is very important that we invest in equipment because we must ensure the Defence Forces personnel have the capability to carry out their role in peacekeeping operations, training and so forth. Equipment is important for that.

I take the Deputy's point that there has been a high number of departures. However, in the last number of years, there has been an average trend in that regard and the number is not more now than it was in the past. There are more opportunities for people in the private sector now. The Deputy referred to the number of officers leaving the Defence Forces to go into the private sector. I have raised this with the Department and the Defence Forces but it simply indicates how highly qualified the people who are trained by the Defence Forces are. It is not nice to lose those highly trained men and women to the private sector.

See this speech in context