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

The Minister of State is breaking records for pay savings. Has he listened to himself? We are talking about a recruitment and retention crisis and he has record levels of pay savings, the very matter that is causing the recruitment and retention crisis and putting people on the bread line in the Defence Forces. He is telling us that he is buying a few aeroplanes and that a few ships will be docked. On what planet is he living when it comes to managing the pay difficulties that are causing the crisis? He has confirmed ongoing pay savings for the House. A sum of €24 million has been save this year and there will be record levels of pay savings this year based on the Minister of State's projections today. He has confirmed savings of €24 million up to the end of August or early September. That nearly exceeds the maximum amount in the gross pay savings in Vote 36 in previous years. That demonstrates the difficulties which have caused the exodus of staff. The Minister of State should not tell us about the ships and the aeroplanes that will be purchased or the money that will be reallocated for capital spending. We need people in the organisation. That is what the Defence Forces are proud to have. People are the core of the organisation, not empty aeroplanes or vessels.

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