Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Along with my colleagues, Senators Leyden and Ned O'Sullivan, on this side and indeed many other Senators throughout the House, I have raised the plight of Defence Forces personnel because of the terms and conditions under which they work. PDFORRA and RACO continue to raise issues in respect of the pay and conditions of their members. Earlier this year, the families and loved ones of the Defence Forces personnel were forced to mobilise themselves on the issues of those in the Defence Forces who are struggling to survive on the wages they get from the State. It is worth noting that between 2012 and 2017, 1,000 members of the Defence Forces paid to leave the force. These figures clearly indicate that despite what the Government is telling us and what the Minister of State is saying, we have a crisis in the Defence Forces. I have never seen morale as low among members of the forces. They are being treated with total disrespect. I ask the Leader to invite the Minister of State to the House early in the new year so that we can question him on what he plans to do to address this very serious issue for the men and women of our Defence Forces.