Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I know the Minister supports it but the bottom line is that action is needed now. We cannot get recruits. We cannot get soldiers. The current strength of 8,000 members is too low. I mentioned Gormanston training camp. We cannot even get personnel to train soldiers. We have qualified soldiers who it cost the Army a lot of money to train.

They cannot even pass on their experience because they have been let go. In the case of a young man of 50 years of age, who is medically fit, it makes no sense. While I appreciate that an extension of two or three years has been granted to sergeants, the number of people leaving is an absolute disgrace. I was in the Army for three years. The Army is fantastic for young people to join because of the discipline you get. You keep yourself nice and clean, you look after yourself and you get respect for everybody. At the moment, we are just taking them in and when they get to a certain age, we think they are no addition. I have raised this numerous times with the Tánaiste. I would love to go back to this 50-year-old chef, who, along with his family, is involved with everything. He wants to stay, but what can I tell him? It is going on far too long. Perhaps I am wrong, but is it just a matter of a stroke of a pen? The money could not be a problem if it is just a stroke of a pen.

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