Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

A total of 209 personnel in training left in 2017. In 2001, during the so-called boom, 302 personnel left. In 2007, which was the height of the boom, 188 left. The numbers leaving fell in each of the years from 2011 to 2014 because there was a recession and people wanted to stay. A total of 169 left in 2016 and 209 left for various reasons in 2017. Some might not have been up to it and they left and others left of their own accord.

I am not aware of the heavy machine gun incident, which was nearly an accident. I do not micromanage and I take action when I am told about issues. I read in the public fora about a ship going out and having to come back because of insufficient crew. I am not aware of the case.

Senator Dolan spoke about our neutrality. No matter what decision we make in Europe I will make sure that Ireland's position is reflected in that. When we signed up to PESCO, I brought it to the Government and to the Dáil for approval. I also brought the issue to the Seanad for discussion even though there was not a vote on it.I came in here and explained exactly the reasons we were joining PESCO. Our joining is a good thing. One of the reasons is, as Senator Craughwell said, that we face different challenges. We cannot be left behind. If we are to have a Defence Force that has capabilities and experience, we must be able to be as good as the rest. However, our neutral stance is very much reflected in all the decisions we make as a Government. Senator Gallagher stated that we have contributed hugely to overseas duties. I agree absolutely, and being able to work with like-minded countries and states within PESCO is very important.

Recruitment to the Defence Forces has been ongoing and has never stopped. From 2011 to 2016, when members of the Opposition were saying we should stop recruitment into the Defence Forces and recruit elsewhere, we did not do so because it was so important to have continuous recruitment into the Defence Forces. I received, through negotiations with the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, a €98 million package in the last budget. We have €541 million for the period 2018-22 to spend on all types of infrastructure, whether equipment, barracks or whatever else. I outlined some of the equipment platforms we are renewing and upgrading in my opening speech.

Reference was made to family members being lost overseas. As I have stated previously, we are celebrating our 60th year of participation in UN duties and 40 years in UNIFIL. It is important we celebrate - I would call it a celebration - our anniversaries and our participation in UN peacekeeping. As part of these celebrations, I will include each and every one of the families who lost either a son or a daughter - it has been all males who have lost their lives overseas, to my recollection - in some sort of service or event over that weekend. It will be a very solemn ceremony specifically for the family members. I am determined to do this because I believe it is important and because the people who lost their lives overseas sacrificed not just their lives, but also the lives of their parents, wives, partners and children. I was delighted that in March of this year, over St. Patrick's Day, to bring back one of the surviving members of a serious incident involving UNIFIL in Lebanon. It was the first time he had been back to visit the scene of the accident in which two of his colleagues were shot.

Senator Ó Donnghaile raised a number of issues about neutrality, which I have addressed. Recruitment closed on Sunday night. Last year, I introduced a proposal that we should have two tranches of recruitment, one in the first part of the year and the second in the second half of the year, because I felt that people were applying for the Defence Forces and were left for almost 12 months on a rolling application. I thought that was wrong. No young person should have to wait for seven, eight or 12 months to be called. He or she should know within four or five months exactly where he or she stands. That is only right and proper, and I am very happy with the number of applications. Furthermore, the apprenticeship for the Air Corps is still open.

I think it was Senator Robbie Gallagher who said it is a pity that I am not at the Cabinet table. I inform Senator Gallagher that I have my feet firmly under the Cabinet table and am proud to fight at the Cabinet table on behalf of the Defence Forces. I have been given full responsibility as Minister of State with responsibility for defence and I will represent all members of the Defence Forces, from the newly recruited to the most senior, as long as I am in this position, and I am proud to do so.