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

The Minister will be most aware that this week the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence met the Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Seán Clancy, and some of the general staff. The Chief of Staff confirmed that the current enlisted membership is 7,917, again evidencing the haemorrhaging of staff that we see from the Defence Forces. That equates to 83% of the establishment figure of 9,500.

The Minister has said - it was confirmed to the committee - that the increase in established numbers under the high-level action plan for the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces is to include civilians. What percentage balance is the Minister examining between enlisted and civilian personnel specifically with regard to the Naval Service? Highly experienced and highly trained enlisted members have left the Defence Forces because of current pay and conditions. Is the Minister expecting civilians to enter into and support the Naval Service on those same conditions and rates of pay?

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