Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We need to address the chronic underinvestment in our Defence Forces to allow Ireland to continue to participate in UN peacekeeping missions, to defend and monitor our skies and seas and to protect Ireland from real threats we face including cyberattacks.

I have spoken many times on matters of defence in this Dáil. I mentioned before that my own father spent 25 years in the Army. Growing up, I saw him have to work numerous jobs in addition to his Army duties just to keep food on the table and clothes on our backs because the pay and conditions were so bad. Fast forward to 25 years later, things have not improved.

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