Richard O'Donoghue (Limerick County, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Reports have emerged that soldiers are paid between €2 per hour and €3 per hour at the weekend, which is completely illegal and shameful. It is not acceptable that soldiers could earn more working in a shop than they do in the Defence Forces. The Department of Defence continually fails to use its full budget allocation as it has fewer staff than expected. There are currently 8,600 enlisted soldiers, which is 900 fewer than expected, yet the Department will not pay those soldiers enough to live on. The Rural Independent Group supports calls for the establishment of a special commission to examine all aspects of the Defence Forces, including enlistment and re-enlistment.

The members of the Defence Forces have families. Many of them have children and wives or husbands. They are our protectors. They protect us and this country, as do members of An Garda Síochána. They do significant work around the country, such as in respect of the ongoing environmental issues which are worsening year on year. Whom did we call on for help when Storm Ophelia arrived? Who were the first people called into action? The emergency services, including the Army, were called on to help us. Members of the Defence Forces, along with other front-line services, were the first people out, at all hours of the night, to help us. The State rewards them with €2 or €3 extra per hour in overtime for so protecting us.

When the President of the United States came to Ireland, the Army and the Garda were called on to assist. Members of the Army were sent out with packed lunches and rations and our gardaí were fed. As Deputies know, anyone who calls to an Irish person's house is fed well. The Irish have great respect for people. The gardaí ended up having to feed the members of the Army because there were no provisions allowed for the latter as they carried out their duties. That was wrong.

Equality must start here. Our front-line services should be treated the way we would like to be treated. They looked after us in terms of Covid-19. It is now up to us to look after them. Members of the Defence Forces need equality with other front-line workers. They are our front-line workers and protectors. It is up to the Government to intervene and protect the Army and, in turn, let it protect us. We cannot allow the current circumstances to continue. Equality for all must be respected. I call on the Minister for Defence, Deputy Coveney, to intervene on this matter.

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