Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South-Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

In recent weeks, we have heard lots of big speeches, announcements, lofty promises and big commitments. I welcome that the Defence Forces are finally getting some attention. I live in a city that has a large number of Defence Forces personnel who work in Collins Barracks and Haulbowline. They tell me they have heard all of this before. They have heard big talk and small follow-through. The Tánaiste says it is important that we are seen to be increasing the capacity of the Defence Forces. It should not be about being seen to do anything. It is about making sure - in the interests of the men and women in the Defence Forces and the Irish people - that the Defence Forces are supported. It needs to be about action rather than being seen to do things. The reality is that big speeches will not put boots inside the barracks' doors. Only proper resourcing and resolving the terms and conditions and income of Defence Forces personnel will do that. The men and women of the Defence Forces deserve better than what they saw from the last Government.

Regarding the Commission on the Future of the Defence Forces, will the Tánaiste give a timeline? He spoke about needing to go beyond LOA2. Currently, we are substantially below level of ambition 1, LOA1. Will the Tánaiste give a timeline for the Defence Forces to reach establishment and to deliver 11,000 PDF members?

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