Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour) | Oireachtas source

We have a personnel crisis in our Defence Forces. There is a cohort of privates and corporals recruited since 1994 who can continue in service only until the end of next year, December 2022. It is estimated that 700 experienced non-commissioned officers in the post-1994 cohort will be leaving. We cannot support this. The knowledge and expertise are going. If the personnel meet the medical and fitness criteria that would allow them to continue to serve, why can the Government not address this? Will the Tánaiste clarify for this House that this will be addressed? It is obvious that this should not be allowed to happen. We need to have a decision on this very soon. It is completely unfair and unreasonable to treat the affected personnel like this. Will the Tánaiste commit that the Government will make a decision on this before the end of this year?

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