Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I believe our Defence Forces are a vital safety net that protect the democratic institutions of the State. In many instances, they have had to step into the breach to provide vital services when industrial action was being taken elsewhere. None of us knows the extent of the challenges that Brexit will bring to security on this island. The Defence Forces must be on hand in such circumstances to protect our citizens and our democracy. Like many people, I heard retired Commandant Cathal Berry saying on the radio that a soldier who does a 24-hour duty on a Saturday will take home approximately €1 an hour. He pointed out that this level of pay would not even cover the cost of the petrol used to go on duty. Such an intolerable situation cannot be allowed to continue. The mileage clocked up by Defence Forces personnel from three barracks to provide duty cover in Dublin, which is equivalent to travelling around the world 18 times a year, is equally unsustainable. The current movement of Defence Forces personnel from Custume Barracks in Athlone to do duties in Dublin is completely unsustainable in the medium term. We need to look again at how we organise our Defence Forces, particularly in light of the threat of Brexit. When the Minister of State is responding, I ask to address a specific issue that has been brought to my attention and the attention of communities across the midlands. There is a concern that the departure of many experienced staff from the Defence Forces, and the Air Corps in particular, will have an impact on the lifesaving air ambulance service that operates out of Custume Barracks in Athlone and provides a vital service across the midlands and the west. If we do not act quickly to address these issues, our Defence Forces will face permanent and irreversible damage.

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