Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Taoiseach will be aware of the commitment in the programme for Government to ensure that at least 9,500 Permanent Defence Forces personnel and a full strength reserve is in place. Fianna Fáil has highlighted the poor pay and conditions in the Defence Forces, and it is coming home to roost as significant numbers are leaving the Defence Forces on a regular basis. Those leaving are from across the range, from highly skilled IT personnel, traffic control and bomb disposal. There has been a severe impact on the bomb disposal unit. The force is at its lowest strength in 50 years. PDFORRA is meeting today in Cavan. It has said that 2,900 members took early retirement and approximately 1,000 of those had to pay the State a discharge purchase. I would ask how the Government proposes to fulfil its commitment in the programme for Government to ensure that there is up to 9,500 in the Permanent Defence Forces given the very poor retention rates of those who join.

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