Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Tánaiste for that. I am no wiser on his intentions in relation to that. It will be a debate on a paper that is being produced but I would like the Oireachtas to be part of that debate, not after the decisions are made by way of being presented with heads of a Bill but in the sort of complication of debate the Tánaiste has just outlined. I fully accept the amendment I have proposed is far from the finished article in the context of the reforms that are necessary, but the notion that the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, the chief of the Defence Forces, is an adviser to the Minister and that a senior civil servant in the Department actually can direct him in the administration of the Defence Forces, there needs to be-----

See this speech in context