Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I have no doubt that huge extra moves will need to be made in ensuring that we get through what is obviously a recruitment and, particularly, a retention issue regarding the Defence Forces in general.

The issue many of us have is what matters and is seen to qualify as a priority by the Government. It seems removing the triple lock is one. Officials are to proceed without delay in implementing the working time directive but we have yet to even see a draft Bill. The commission outlined in depth what is required to achieve level of ambition 2 over a ten-year period. It is viewed as a flagship policy by the Government but requires the Government and the Minister to have real ambition to achieve this. 2022 should have been a landmark year, when the Government laid down a clear commitment to achieve LOA 2 by 2032. Instead, it has put off delivering the capital funding necessary until 2028, potentially delaying its attainment by years further.

Will the Tánaiste return to the Cabinet to seek the funding required by the Defence Forces this year? When does the Government intend to deliver upon the LOA 2 target of 11,500 personnel?

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