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

The Minister of State mentioned the Public Service Pay Commission. We know that last week the Chief of Staff, Vice Admiral Mellett, had to offer his perspective and unique insight because all of the recommendations he had made to the Minister of State and his Department had been completely ignored in the Minister of State's submission, which represents a complete failure of the Government. The Public Service Pay Commission potentially may come back next year with recommendations that will not address the serious issues in recruitment and retention. As of this year, 30% of recruits who left purchased their discharge. That represents a doubling of the practice in two years. There has been a massive exodus from the Defence Forces. In addition, the Minister of State did not clarify when the target strength set out in the White Paper would be reached. It was set by Deputy Coveney when he was the Minister. Under the Minister of State's leadership and during his tenure the numbers are moving in only one direction - away from the target strength - because of the Government's failure to address recruitment and retention policies.

The loss of expertise and experience in the Defence Forces is also an issue and it is not possible to address it by way of recruitment. Personnel are leaving the Defence Forces year on year and their experience which cannot be replaced is being lost to the organisation. Even the recruits who are entering the Defence Forces are purchasing their way out under the Minister of State's leadership. It is pity that he ignored all of the recommendations made by the Chief of Staff and that he has had to make such public pleas.

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