Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I might test the Leas-Cheann Comhairle on that. I apologise in advance.

I am very concerned by the response of the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation to Deputies McDonald and Howlin on the comments of Cathal Berry this morning. We are not talking about Private Pike, we are talking about a very senior member of the Army Ranger Wing. Commandant Berry spoke about the Defence Forces being dismantled and demoralised. He also referred to the humiliation and suffocation of the Defence Forces. We are talking here about Óglaigh na hÉireann, our Defence Forces. When somebody so senior makes such a statement, I would expect a more urgent response from Government. The Minister had not even read the interview even though she was taking Leaders' Questions. Would it be possible for the Minister of State with responsibility for defence to come to the House and respond in respect of these very serious issues? It is not just pay and conditions; there is a need for urgent action on a much broader front. We owe it to the men and women of Óglaigh na hÉireann to listen when somebody terms such as "dismantled", "demoralised", "humiliation" and "suffocation". We cannot ignore this.

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