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

In the next few weeks we are going to see what I hope will be a very considered and detailed report from the commission on the recruitment and retention issues more generally across the Defence Forces. We will have to take on board the commission's recommendations and try to be as effective as we can be in ensuring that a career in the defence forces is attractive and exciting and provides opportunities for promotion, advancement and upskilling. We also have to make sure that we have a Permanent Defence Force that is fit for purpose and can perform the very demanding roles it takes on. We must ensure that the fitness profile and human capacity is there to be able to deliver on the challenges faced by the Defence Forces. We can get that balance right. As I have said previously, people are fitter for longer now and that should be reflected in our staffing strategy across the Defence Forces. Let us get the decision made in relation to the 1994 issue and let us see the detail of the commission's work. Then we can make further decisions.

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