Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The numbers in our Defence Forces are under 8,000 which is an all-time low. I have raised this matter with the Tánaiste and the Taoiseach in recent weeks. It is due to compulsory retirement and is an absolute disgrace. In the past few months, 51 recruits were in Gormanston Camp training to become soldiers but only 12 passed out. A number of them had to be transferred from Cork to make up the 51 and still only 12 passed out. In Dublin, two barracks had to be amalgamated to try to get recruits to pass out. Gormanston training camp cannot even be opened at the moment due to a lack of personnel.

I will give some details of a 50-year-old chef who has a mortgage and three children. He is medically fit to carry on his work. He has been overseas seven times. He has high qualifications. Every time I raise the issue with the Army, I am told the Minister this or the Minister that. These people want to stay in the Army. I cannot understand it. As an ex-soldier, I know the experience and training people get in the Army is perfect. It is a way of telling us that the Government no longer wants young men at 50 years of age.

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