Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The last time my colleague raised a question of this nature, it related to a proposal of the Taoiseach's regarding a strategic threat assessment centre. I do not know whether there has been any progress on that or whether it has been discussed. Was there discussion about the Defence Forces being below strength and the disillusionment and low morale among its members? Is the weakness of the Defence Forces taken into account when looking at national security? Has the committee looked at last week's leaked proposal of the Public Service Pay Commission to reinstate some of the allowances? I do not know if this leak has been confirmed. The proposal will not go far enough, but it may at least start to address part of the issue. I presume the national security committee relies on the Defence Forces, if representatives are in attendance, and on An Garda Síochána to carry out its work. I know those within both organisations would carry out their work diligently in the event of any national emergency, as they do at all other times. When morale is low and when people are leaving the service, however, I presume it is much more difficult to plan for national security.

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