Ned O'Sullivan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Some of the articles on the issue in the Sunday newspapers were quite alarming. I know there are two sides to every story but Mr. Putin is adopting Cold War, ridiculous and quite dangerous and threatening activities, ag cur bagairt ar a chéile, mar a déarfá, and I think something should be done about that.

Still on defence matters, I read with interest, as I do every Sunday, Eoghan Harris's excellent article. He proposed that the 1916 celebrations should be primarily based on the Defence Forces. I do not necessarily agree with that proposal, I am not a militarist. However, I was shocked when he stated that were we to adopt that policy we would not have enough soldiers to maintain a presence on the particular day at the various locations - the GPO, Ashtown, Wexford and wherever else people mustered on that famous day. I am concerned about that. We are very proud of our Army, both commissioned officers and enlisted men. It is time the Minister for Defence came to the House to explain the reason our Army has been reduced so much. I know the Provisional IRA has gone out of action, hopefully for good, but there are other elements that are not, the Continuity IRA, Real IRA and other IRAs. One only realises the value of the Defence Forces when one needs them. I want the Minister for Defence to give an audit on our Army numbers and also an audit of Army property around the country.