Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There is a debate on this matter this evening. The previous Government spent almost three years putting together a detailed White Paper on the future of the Defence Forces. Their budget has increased again this year. I do not agree with Deputy Martin on the issue of morale.

The programme for Government and the White Paper are being followed through and it is our intention to keep the Defence Forces as a priority item, as we always have done. There will be further elaboration by the Minister of State with responsibility for this area this evening but Fianna Fáil's Private Members' business calls for a reversal of elements of the White Paper, which would not be in the best interests of the Defence Forces.

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