Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is interesting that the Minister of State is engaging with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform on a report that the Minister of State has read. Clearly, there are issues with that report and its contents. The retention and the recruitment crisis is at a systemic level. Is the Minister of State satisfied with the report he has read? What will be the outcome of it? Will the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, refer it back to the Public Service Pay Commission? Has the Minister of State consulted military management on its contents to see if its members are happy that the recommendations they submitted to the Minister of State's Department have been acknowledged within that report?

The Minister of State should deal with the serious anger and upset prevalent throughout the Defence Forces about the anaemic weak attempt to address the serious morale issues. There is a unique nature to our Defence Forces in that their members cannot strike or join a union and they need to be treated properly and with the respect and dignity that they deserve. I want the Minister of State to answer those questions about the content of the report. Why has there been such a long delay in respect of it?

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