Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

That is very welcome. That is so important. We are so lucky with our Defence Forces. Loads of people come to my clinic asking me about the family income support scheme because their wages do not give them a standard of living. I know pay scales are part of the public pay talks but can the Tánaiste tell me whether we will see an increase for our Defence Forces personnel in this year's budget? We have seen a 25% drop in numbers in our Defence Forces. What urgent steps are being taken to reinvigorate this? I am taking this question on behalf of Deputy Niamh Smyth. We are so lucky to have what we have within our Defence Forces. I know the Tánaiste's commitment to them but there are significant issues that need to be addressed. I welcome the Tánaiste's plan.

See this speech in context