Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I assure the Deputy that they are not hollow. It is interesting that, while he originally asked about enlisted personnel, he never mentioned them in any of his supplementary questions. I will mention them. They are equally as important as the officers. Without enlisted personnel, we would not have the Defence Forces. We would need to legislate to accommodate enlisted personnel who wished to re-enter. Were I to introduce such legislation, I would ask for the Deputy's support. A number of former enlisted personnel want to return to the Defence Forces. Regardless of whether that number is five or ten, they should be allowed to do so. The same applies in the case of officers. It is a changing organisation. Most armies across the world allow former officers and enlisted personnel to re-enter. I agree with that. We are in a changing society and world with different personnel and opportunities. We must allow former personnel to re-enter. I fully support the proposal.

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