Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy. I want to join everyone in this House in thanking and commending the members of the joint task force, including An Garda Síochána, Revenue, the customs service and the Naval Service, which in co-operation with the Air Corps and the Army Ranger Wing successfully intercepted a major shipment of controlled drugs at sea yesterday in very challenging conditions. The operation resulted in the detention of a bulk cargo vessel originating from Latin America with a significant volume of illegal drugs on board, which would no doubt have been destined for the Irish and European markets. This will represent a serious blow to organised crime gangs and it shows that Ireland and its waters are guarded and protected. I also want to acknowledge partners internationally such as the Maritime Analysis Operations Centre - Narcotics, which is based in Lisbon, the UK National Crime Agency, the US Drug Enforcement Administration and the French customs service. We have record levels of investment in the Defence Forces. It is well over €1 billion a year. We have a huge investment commitment under way. When it comes to pay, I do not think it is all about pay. The Deputy can do the international benchmarking if she wishes. Pay for our Defence Forces compares very favourably with the UK or the US, even when an adjustment is made for the cost of living. There are many more issues at stake when it comes to the problem of recruitment in the Defence Forces than pay alone.

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