Cathal Berry (Kildare South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I very much welcome this additional proposed hardware. We should always remember that is not a ship that makes the crew, it is the crew that makes the ship and crewing the ship is so important. As the Tánaiste knows, I always acknowledge progress. The doubling of the patrol duty allowance at the start of year is a help. The increase in the recruitment and retirement age is also a big help. According to a post on Twitter, I see that 33 new recruits started in Gormanston yesterday. I wish them well in their training. There is a maximum of 11 months left in this Dáil term. Does the Tánaiste see a turning around of Naval Service recruitment and retention in the next 11 months? Does he see an increase in numbers before the Thirty-third Dáil comes to a close?

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