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

I thank the Tánaiste. I am learning an awful lot tonight.

We have committed to implementing the action plan which arose from the Commission on the Defence Forces. Just last week, however, of the just two naval vessels operating, patrolling our seas, one discovered and intercepted a massive €150 million of cocaine on the MV Matthewjust off the coast of Wexford, which borders Carlow. It is very important to mention that. I pay tribute to and compliment the Defence Forces on such a massive find. It is absolutely huge. Well done to all involved. However, we had to borrow a helicopter from the National Ambulance Service to carry out this important seizure. I wondered when I was reading about it, and we saw it in all the news, how many boats have not made it ashore because of lack of resources.

We must put the tools in place for the Defence Forces, and I know how committed the Tánaiste is. This is urgent and I note the Tánaiste's commitment on this

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