Kevin O'Keeffe (Cork East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I commend my colleague, Deputy Lisa Chambers, for bringing this Private Members' motion to the floor of the House. It is vital that the issue of island defence is highlighted. It was neglected by the Government and the previous Fine Gael-Labour Party Government for long enough. The actions of Fine Gael have imposed hardship on members of the Defence Forces and their families. In the past six years we have seen the disbandment of one brigade, three infantry units, two artillery regiments and over a dozen units, while four barracks have been closed. There have also been cuts to the numbers of peacekeepers in Lebanon. It is clear that the Government, while in office in the past six years, has seen the Defence Forces as an easy target for cost-cutting. The fact that one of the first moves the Government made in 2011 when it took office was to assign the defence portfolio as a subsidiary role to the Minister for Justice and Equality indicated a complete lack of respect for the position and that of the Defence Forces. I say, "Well done," to Deputy Lisa Chambers for attempting to put a stop to it. The Defence Forces have shown nothing but loyalty and professionalism in carrying out their duties. Not once have they been hit by scandal. The Government needs to be reminded of this.

We need a defence policy fit for purpose. I plead with the Minister of State to review the situation of the Army Rangers wing with regard to the making of the back payment due to them under the Lansdowne Road agreement, for which they have been waiting since 2010. The Minister of State's Department has sidestepped the issue. Will he find a mechanism to ensure they will receive assurances on the making of that payment? They have not sought an increase in pay; they have only sought the incentives owed to them. The Army Rangers are the men who are called on in the event of a terror threat, a threat which is more likely to arise today than heretofore. The Government's flagrant disregard of the Defence Forces means that this is one of the most unprepared countries in the western world should there be such a scenario. The motion calls for our military professionals to be allowed to play a meaningful and worthwhile role in the formulation of policy advice to the Government. Their advice on what we should do in the event of a terror attack would be most welcome and is needed. In my county of Cork we are faced with a situation where the naval base in Haulbowline, the only one in the State, is severely understaffed. Last year the Minister of State put politics before protocol and tradition when he chose to hold the Defence Forces international operational service medal ceremony in Rosslare, County Wexford in his constituency.

I recognise the outstanding role the Defence Forces played last year in the national 1916 celebrations. The Government could have made a small gesture by giving retired members of the Defence Forces recognition for past service by awarding the same 1916 medallions as those received by current members and even FCA members. It was an opportunity missed by the Minister of State.

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