Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy. The aim of the decision that has been made here, which I believe is the right one, is to put in place a more realistic assumption regarding what recruitment will be in the time ahead so that it is a better foundation on which to build the Estimate for the Defence Forces and the Department of Defence. As the Deputy is aware, there is a commission in place with regard to how we can strengthen the Defence Forces. I thank him for his involvement in that. It has led to a number of commitments being made regarding spending in the time ahead. In that context, it appears appropriate, therefore, to have a more realistic recruitment number in place, off which we can better plan this Estimate.

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