Geraldine Feeney (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Minister, Deputy O'Dea. As was pointed out by my colleague, Senator Kieran Phelan, last week, the Minister was here to deal with NAMA. I will probably make the Minister blush but his involvement in such a complex issue as the NAMA Bill brings to mind his roles as an accountant and a lawyer.

I am delighted with the speedy way in which the Bill is being brought before the Houses. As other speakers stated, it follows from our commitment under the Lisbon treaty and puts on a legislative footing our involvement in the European Defence Agency. We all know the EDA was the subject of huge misrepresentation. I am sorry Senator Doherty did not stay because his party was one of the main instigators in putting out the misrepresentation and lies during the recent Lisbon treaty debate. Some groups even suggested that the EDA was the beginning of a European army. While canvassing, I met women who were frightened that their 16 year old sons would be conscripted into a European army. A lot of talking was required to convince them otherwise.

The European Defence Agency provides a framework for member states to co-operate on matching equipment and strategy. This co-operation on dangerous but necessary peace missions reflects the best traditions of the European Union. The agency plays an important role in reducing the cost to member states of acquiring and maintaining defensive equipment. Standardisation will allow significant economies of scale to be achieved in the purchasing of equipment. Given that more than €250 million of the Department of Defence's annual budget of €1 billion is spent on equipment and capital purchases, the savings made through standardisation are to be warmly welcomed, especially in the context of our current economic constraints.

I was nominated to the Seanad by the Irish Conference of Professional and Services Associations. The Minister will be aware of this because I have worn a path to his door over recent weeks to discuss issues on behalf of members of the conference. The members of the Defence Forces have served their country with distinction in the most dangerous areas of the world. They have put themselves in harm's way to protect others with professionalism and dedication. As the Minister rightly recognised, they have forged a peacekeeping reputation that is second to none. They have actively contributed to rebuilding communities in Kosovo and East Timor.

Last week, the Minister and I discussed certain issues which are affecting the Defence Forces at present and I have shared the outcome of this discussion with the Defence Forces members whom I represent.