Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State to the House and concur heartily with all that he has said. As the Minister of State and Senator Byrne have said, this is a very simple Bill to allow for the appointment of a Rear Admiral as a Vice Admiral, which is the equivalent rank of Lieutenant General, which was the normal rank of the person who became Chief of State of the Defence Forces.

I congratulate Rear Admiral Mark Mellet on his appointment and wish him every success in his role. I also thank Lieutenant General Conor O'Boyle for his contribution and distinguished service to the Defence Forces in recent years and I wish him well in his retirement.

In terms of the Bill, the Minister of State has covered it all; it is very simple. Fine Gael supports the Bill and wishes those involved well. I do not think any more needs to be said.