Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge Sinn Féin for recognising this. I think members of Sinn Féin were the only Senators who had anything positive to say about this and I thank them for their comments in that regard - and the Senator on my left. I was referring only to the Opposition. It is very important we marry equipment with members and personnel of the Defence Forces to give them the capability and capacity to carry out their jobs and whatever is asked of them by the Government. We have spent over €500 million on new ships and €55 million on armoured vehicles, made a huge investment in the Air Corps and invested in many other areas.

We will not open Mullingar barracks. I have asked that the Department proceed with its sale and that the local authority in Westmeath take it off our hands. The local authority has not responded positively. I do not want to see Mullingar barracks go to rack and ruin like other barracks over the years.

Senators spoke about the issue of personnel retention. I would be the first to recognise that we face huge retention challenges. However, I am not sure whether Senators afforded themselves the opportunity to read the report of Public Service Pay Commission published only two weeks ago. If they do so, they will see that the Defence Forces have been recognised, and rightly so, this year. This is because of the work of members of PDFORRA such as those in the Gallery, my Department, RACO and the Chief of Staff raising with me the issues of pay and conditions and the retention challenges I face as Minister of State. I have raised these issues with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. I was very interested to hear Senator Craughwell's comments in this regard. This is a man who has represented the teacher unions for many years.