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

There is extensive training within the Defence Forces. When they eventually leave, many people come out of the Defence Forces very well qualified and eagerly sought after. This is a problem in some respects because we are anxious that people would stay longer in the Defence Forces. That is why we have improved conditions and pay, as well as retirement ages more recently. Significantly, we have raised the retirement age to 60, and eventually to 62, which has been broadly welcomed across the Defence Forces. Our objective is that people stay longer within the Defence Forces and that if we can improve the overall quality of life for Defence Forces members, that would ensure retention of members for a far greater period than perhaps has been the case in the recent past.

There are extensive programmes. Certainly, the evidence seems to suggest that there are many opportunities for personnel in the private sector after they complete their time in the Defence Forces.

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