Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am sharing time with Deputy Tony McLoughlin.

I welcome Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin's contribution. She mentioned confusion. There is utter confusion in Fianna Fáil, because in 2010, when it was last in government, it provided for 8,000 members of the Permanent Defence Force, which would, as the Deputy quite rightly suggests, have left us in an even worse position. When Fianna Fáil's spokesperson takes the opportunity to sum up on behalf of the party, there might be an apology for the state Fianna Fáil left the Defence Forces in when it was last in government and the morale which it ran into the ground when it drove the country over the cliff. I would welcome that also. I am sure the other members of the Defence Forces around the country and those people who could not join the Defence Forces because of Fianna Fáil's stance in its time in Government would welcome it too. That was only in 2010. I welcome that the Deputy said there was confusion. There seems to be utter confusion in Fianna Fáil.

Not to spare the opposition entirely, I note the presence of the Sinn Féin spokesperson on defence. I welcome Sinn Féin's Pauline conversion also. It was not so long ago that Sinn Féin and its colleagues in the IRA viewed the members of the Defence Forces as traitors. I am not sure whether Sinn Féin still recognises the Defence Forces. Its representative might take the opportunity in his contribution here to state on the record of the House that there is only one Óglaigh na hÉireann.

We have heard some extremely important points in the House. I recognise the Deputy's genuine concern to ensure the approach to defence is undertaken in ways which respect the wishes of the people. I recognise the high esteem in which the Defence Forces are held and the appreciation of the often dangerous work they do at home and overseas. Several Deputies have referred to this and, in acknowledging the positive features of the debate, it is important to point out that it is the Executive, that is the Government which has to seek practical policies that are feasible in the interests of citizens and taxpayer. In the interests of any democracy, management of defence through the civil and democratic control of the armed forces is paramount.

Irish people have a realistic and well grounded sense of expectations for defence. It is a matter for Government to deliver. The amendment that is tabled by the Government is realistic in its approach and takes cognisance of the actual position with regard to the Defence Forces as it currently stands. The Government has a record of investing in the Defence Forces, unlike its predecessor that drove the country over the edge in 2011.

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