Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

That is why people join the Defence Forces. In case I was not clear, I will reiterate the substantive actions we have taken in recent months and will continue to take. We are benefiting in the Defence Forces from the increase in pay, ranging from 6.2% to 7.4%, following the cuts made because of the economic crash in recent years. Members of the Defence Forces are benefiting from pay restoration. Under the FEMPI legislation, there was a cut of 5% in their allowances.

I wish to God none of those cuts had been made, as I am sure every single person in this House does, but they were made. Now, the country is in a position financially to be able to restore pay and to look forward to a new stability process of pay agreements between 2018 and 2020. We are lucky as a country that we can recognise with pride the people in our Defence Forces and are able to pay them effectively. In addition, the Government is investing in capital equipment and platforms, including those that increase the force's protection, such as armoured personnel carriers and in the building of infrastructure. Projects worth €35 million are at various stages of implementation, ranging from design to construction, and €14.2 million has been provided for the delivery of the infrastructural development projects between now and 2018.

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