Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am glad the capacity of the RDF was included in the commission's remit because often over the years the very good work of that force has not been given the recognition that it should have. I raised this issue in the House on many occasions. During the previous Dáil, on many occasions in plenary session and at committees, we discussed the issues and the problems of retaining personnel in our Permanent Defence Force. I sincerely hope that pay and conditions will be adequately addressed along with retention policies.

Will the Minister indicate whether it is within the remit of the commission to examine the work of the Department of Defence vis-à-visits relationship with the Defence Forces? I gather that at times this can be robust. Maybe it is a good thing that it is robust between the two of them, but I do not know whether that provides for the best working relationship.

I sincerely hope that if there are issues relating to the Department as it affects the workings of the Defence Forces on an ongoing basis, they would be considered in the context of the commission's work.

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