Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I will reply first to Deputy Stanton. In terms of the breakdown for the first six months, 150 have been inducted, comprising 141 general service recruits, 125 in the Army, three in the Air Corps and 13 in the Naval Service, with one Naval Service engine room artificer. Of the eight re-enlisted personnel, seven are in the Army and one is in the Air Corps. A total of 435 personnel were inducted in 2022. As at 31 May, a total of 293 personnel were discharged, comprised of 34 officers and 259 enlisted personnel. A total of 891 personnel were discharged in 2022.

On the working time directive, the instruction is to bring the negotiations to a conclusion, so all parties really need to knuckle down to bring it to conclusion and get it implemented.

Re-enlistment is going well. I am just looking for figures. There are well over 100. The re-entry is working. There is probably more we can do there. Not only is it working, those who have come back in are expressing considerable satisfaction with their experience. That definitely is one that will continue.

The other key issue is the early retirement question. Historically, as a country we have been slow to accept the fact that lifespan has increased very significantly. People's capability and fitness levels are much higher at an older age now. There are complex issues in terms of pensions and fast accruals, but given the real seriousness of this issue, I am very concerned about the Naval Service and the numbers we have. We have to take meaningful and radical action to maintain and retain those who are in the services. These are discussions that the Government is engaging in at the moment.

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