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

I was going to ask the Minister of State for his reaction to the serious issues the person in question outlined. Instead the Minister of State questioned the integrity of what he said. That is an unbelievable reaction from the Minister of State in his bunker of denial when it comes to issues facing our Defence Forces. We all need to learn that it is not about attacking the individual who raises legitimate concerns but acknowledging and trying to deal with those issues.

I am sure Mervyn Ennis can provide information and details about the officials and the departmental correspondence he mentioned in media reports. Why would he make it up for sensationalist reports? I am sure he can document the issues around DEIS and those Defence Forces members sleeping in cars. These issues were also in the University of Limerick climate survey report. Accordingly, some of the remarks in Mervyn Ennis’s public iterations are mirrored in other reports presided over by the Minister of State. Does the Minister of State believe what Mervyn Ennis said? The fact the Minister of State is questioning his integrity and what he has put on the public record is not a prudent response. Instead, he should acknowledge it and seek to help the personnel in question.

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