Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am surprised the Senator did not mention or commend to the House the increase in the number of personnel in the Defence Forces under this Government and its predecessor. Let us have a fair debate on the issues. There have been issues over pay and there was the effect of the FEMPI legislation, which has been reversed. There have been issues over the recruitment and retention of personnel but the Minister of State and key people in the Defence Forces are addressing them.I would be happy to have a debate on the matter in the House. However, the Senator should not call on the Minister of State at the Department of Defence to resign when the opposite should be the case. He has been one of the most prominent and proactive defence Ministers in modern times. I do not like the fact that Senator Craughwell called for his resignation today. It does not to do anything to further the debate about improving the terms and conditions of, as well as the recruitment to, our Defence Forces.