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

I recognise that there is concern across the Chamber. If we are going to achieve what we need to achieve with the Defence Forces in the coming years, in simple terms, we have to take on 3,000 people in the Permanent Defence Forces and 3,000 people in the Reserve Defence Forces. That is a net increase of 6,000 people in six years.

Looking at the numbers today, that looks like a huge mountain to climb.

That is why the Government is going to put significant resources into this. Only yesterday, I announced the result of an agreement following a lot of conversation and negotiation with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, which means three-star or able seamen who join the Defence Forces will now, because of their marked time requirements, be removed and because they will get the full NSA, their salary will increase by €5,000. The Deputies asked what we are doing in terms of immediate measures and that is one of them. We have also extended the qualification criteria for the seagoing scheme. Previously, members had to have been in the Naval Service for three years before they could qualify, and we have reduced that to one. A lot more people will qualify, which will increase their take-home pay significantly if they go to sea.

As for what we are doing on the ground in Haulbowline, which I know very well because I am there regularly and I live only a few minutes away, we have a capital spending programme that is worth more than €70 million of investment in Haulbowline alone over the next decade or less. We opened what is probably the most high-quality residential block last month, which is a phenomenal piece of infrastructure. We have also opened a new jetty and we are going to open a gym.

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