Dáil debates

Wednesday, 12 June 2019

Defence Forces: Motion [Private Members]

 

3:55 pm

Photo of John CurranJohn Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I will not repeat the points made by my colleagues. It is clear that there is a significant issue in our Defence Forces, with morale being particularly low, as evidenced by the reduction of numbers. Retention is a big issue. The amendment tabled by the Government is appalling. It clearly identifies the challenges faced in regard to recruitment and retention in the Defence Forces, but nowhere in the amendment does the Government deal with the specific issues causing the retention problem. It is not just about the numbers in the Defence Forces; the capacity of the Defence Forces is being undermined. Technical personnel in the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps are being adversely affected. The Government did not address the issue of the removal of the supplementary pension. We have not dealt with issues around restoring defence allowance. These are the core issues affecting members of the Defence Forces, but they are not addressed in the Government's amendment to the motion.

We need the Minister of State to act as a champion for the Defence Forces, not just a manager. We need him to go to the Cabinet and bang the table. The members of the Defence Forces, who are held in high regard by the public, are being let down by the Government. The Minister of State has an opportunity to champion their cause. That is what needs to come from this debate.

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