Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am aware the Minister of State has outlined his explanation, but of real concern is an internal document from the finance branch of the support division from the Defence Forces Ireland, Óglaigh na hÉireann which has outlined an analysis of the budgetary allocation that he has secured. It says that the defence group expenditure for 2019 represents 1.49% of total Government spending. The group expenditure ceiling as a percentage of GDP last year was higher. We have a lot of spin around recruitment and retention, but the bare facts show that his Department has the lowest percentage increase in allocation in a Government context. Year on year, for example, as a percentage of GDP, the allocation for next year has dropped. It is 0.291% versus 0.292% this year. The gross national income has dropped to 0.479% for next year, which is again a percentage reduction.

All the key metrics point to a reduced defence budget in real terms. In this internal document, which is from the military authorities themselves, it is stated that an evaluation utilising a number of key statistics would indicate that defence spending is reducing or remaining stagnant in real terms. How can the Minister of State stand over a stagnant budgetary allocation when we have such a recruitment and retention crisis and issues around morale? It is important that the mandarins in his Department secure a greater allocation from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

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