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

I am more than aware of that but before starting to build numbers, you have to stop the losses. We are at that moment of changing momentum, I hope. We have an enormous financial commitment from Government and a policy framework to do that. We also have a plan of action linked to an independent report put together over a 12-month period.

Since I have come into politics, there has never been a stronger focus and priority on trying to build, grow, expand and invest in increasing the size of the Defence Forces. We are at the end of a period of reduction and losses. We need to consider what we have decided in recent months on pay and conditions for instance. Someone joining the Defence Forces now will be paid €5,000 more than someone who joined six months ago. Those decisions were made at budget time by the Government. A range of things are happening, including pay, conditions, culture, equipment, accommodation and medical provision. The overall package is improving significantly.

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