Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Before I put my question, I would like to extend my sympathy on the tragic passing of Dara Fitzpatrick, Mark Duffy, Ciarán Smith and Paul Ormsby. I commend the rescue services in Waterford, which helped searched for and find the body of Dave Ryan, who was tragically killed in an air accident and who was my sister-in-law's father.

My question concerns the actions taken to address the lack of female applicants to the Defence Forces and the retention policies planned to ensure future female leaders in the forces.

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