Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

From now on I will start to challenge some of these generalisations, such as the bald statement that morale in the Defence Forces is at an all-time low. We have challenges in the Defence Forces and we also have fantastic people. Morale is not at an all-time low. I spent nearly 24 hours on a naval vessel travelling from Dublin to Cork on patrol the other day and morale was really positive and strong. Let us not talk ourselves down. We have genuine and real problems relating to recruitment and retention and we must get up numbers again. We must continue to increase investment in the defence budget for equipment and supports and we must deal with some pay and conditions matters. We are doing so. We must focus on ensuring that people who commit a career to the Defence Forces and their country understand that the Government and the Department of Defence are working with them to ensure ongoing issues in the Defence Forces are addressed. That is what we are doing.

With this matter we will work in partnership with PDFORRA, which has raised very real issues that we have responded to over the past number of years. Once we conclude the current review, we will be able to give clarity as soon as possible to the impacted people.

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