Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We have also seen increased spending on the Air Corps and we very much commend the work being done by our men and women in the Naval Service in the Mediterranean. Equally, there is the issue of increased expenditure in the naval fleet, which is to be welcomed. The Minister of State, Deputy Kehoe, is committed to ensuring the Defence Forces remain an attractive career choice and to do that, he has engaged with representative associations governed by the Lansdowne Road agreement. That said, a climate survey has been commissioned and published. In that survey, members indicated positive findings in terms of commitment to and pride in the job and work satisfaction. I acknowledge, however, that we need to see an improvement in the terms and conditions of all members of the Defence Forces. I would be happy to have the Minister of State to come to the House to debate the matter.