Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is very easy to stand on the sidelines and criticise. The Deputy does not have the responsibility of dealing with public sector pay. Of course, his party previously had that responsibility and got us into a big mess. I want to get back to a strength level of 9,500 personnel and that is achievable with the assistance of military management, the Department of Defence, RACO and the Permanent Defence Force Other Ranks Representative Association, PDFORRA. All of those parties want to reach that figure. There is funding for a complement of 9,500 personnel. I have acknowledged that public sector pay is a significant challenge for me as Minister of State with responsibility for defence and for the Government as a whole because public servants are keeping a watchful eye on what is happening in other areas of the public service. I am not sure whether the Deputy will acknowledge that. I want to be able to get the staffing level back up to 9,500. It will be difficult to do so because we are competing in a buoyant economy with almost full employment. There is significant appetite among the private sector for members of the Defence Forces because of their training and the way they are equipped. I acknowledge that we are losing some very good people. People should also consider the numerous benefits of being a member of the Defence Forces.

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