Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Listening to what the Minister said and reading what has been reported, I have the impression that there are two very different experiences of this issue. What has been reported is deeply concerning and would reflect the wider retention of experienced personnel in the Defence Forces.

To follow up on what the Minister said, the established number of medical officers is 28. He said 22 officers are currently in place. How many of those 22 officers are available in the here and now? This includes those on any form of absence, in service in any other jurisdiction, on illness or maternity leave or anything else along those lines. It has been reported that just nine medical officers are available. This is vastly different from what the Minister said. If one version is correct and the other incorrect, that needs to be reflected. It was reported in the media that nine were available.

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