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

The conclusion is very clear. Defence spending in all of the key metrics is reducing or remaining stagnant in real terms. He can spin it whatever way he likes to and so can his Department officials. The reality is that under his leadership, his Department is beefing up its own internal management.

The Minister of State has created a new assistant secretary position while we are haemorrhaging massive numbers in a recruitment and retention crisis. This is happening under the Minister of State's watch. He secured the lowest percentage increase relative to other Departments. He is the Scrooge of the Government when it comes to allocations and securing funding for military personnel in the State. There will be a Public Service Pay Commission report next year, but there does not appear to be much hope in the budgetary allocation for that year. If the Minister of State rejects the internal note made by military management, it is on him. It looks at gross national income, gross domestic product and the key metrics in budgetary allocations and the allocation is stagnant. Management also made a notable point in its report. When compared to the Minister for Justice and Equality, military management states An Garda Síochána is receiving an additional €60 million in 2019 to fund Garda reforms and the introduction of 800 new recruits. Similarly, the overseas aid allocation has been increased by €110 million in budget 2019. Management is comparing the Minister of State's allocations negatively with those for the Department of Justice and Equality.

See this speech in context