Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Unlike the Minister of State, I will ignore the snide remarks.

The Government must listen to the experts in our Defence Forces. These are the people whose first loyalty is to the State and its people - it is not to fund managers, bankers and brokers. The Air Corps does not want to see any further privatisation of our Defence Forces. The issue is not just the fact that the State is paying for aircraft that could be based in the UK, or the dismissal of our own loyal Air Corps, its officers and their concerns about military intelligence, in favour of a private company that is loyal to the markets. I do not understand why the Minister of State cannot see this. It is the relentless move, by Fine Gael primarily, to privatise a public service, and one that is so important to an Island nation, and to use public funds to enrich a private company and investors.

None of what is happening is going down well with personnel in the Air Corps. It is in breach of the programme for Government, which is still fresh off the block, and it is a perfect example of Fine Gael saying one thing and delivering something else. I hope the Minister of State will impress on the Minister the need to rethink this matter and provide more clarity. Unfortunately, I did not even receive a copy of the Minister of State's reply. The other Ministers of State who came to the Chamber to take Topical Issue matters had the manners to ensure that a copy of their reply was given to the Deputy who raised the matter in question. The Minister needs to listen to the experts on this issue. I hope the Minister of State will convey to him my dissatisfaction with the reply I have been given.

See this speech in context