Lisa Chambers (Mayo, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The reason we asked the question about strength in station is so that we can ascertain the level of officer numbers. This is the management level of the Defence Forces. I know for a fact that the Minister of State was presented with figures at the RACO conference which showed that a number of units including ordnance-bomb disposal, transport and engineering are currently operating at below 50% of their establishment strength in station. They do not have the requisite number of officers. The engineering corps is operating at 50%, the ordnance unit at 38%, and the transport corps is operating at 20% strength in station. When the Minister of State is asked the question about the level of officers in each station and references those who are in training or overseas, it does not give us an accurate picture of what is happening. I am not for a second saying that we should restrict the numbers of those going overseas, in training or undertaking further education. We need to allow that in order to maintain standards. However, we also need openness and transparency when it comes to painting the picture of what is happening operationally. When the Minister tells me that we are at 97%, we know that is not the case. That figure includes those in training and those not available to carry out duties. That matters. The figures need to accurately reflect the numbers in station and available for duty. The figures provided by the Minister of State's Department are inaccurate.

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