Eugene Murphy (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am speaking now because Senator McGreehan had to leave the Chamber.

I welcome the Minister to the House. I pay tribute to the Defence Forces throughout the country who, throughout Covid, have made us proud of what they do. We should also remind ourselves of the increased role of the Defence Forces in dealing with unfortunate communities that have been hit by severe flooding in this country in recent years as well as their fantastic ability to help people by removing them from difficult situations where there is flooding. We should reassure to people. I am proud of the work the Defence Forces do, as are many others.

The events of recent days have saddened me greatly. I am proud when I see how women members of the Defence Forces turned out and of how proud they are of their job. However, the fact that this type of carry-on went on for so long while those affected were afraid to speak out is shocking and deplorable. I praise the Minister because he acted on this matter straightaway. Having listened to the people affected and the group concerned, they appreciate that he is listening to them and taking action. We must all support him in that. It is important that we give a clear statement to the people who have been carrying on like this that their behaviour is not on and is completely out of order.

As previous speakers stated, this is a technical Bill. I will not go into the technicalities of it. I note the Minister stated in a written reply that "Recruitment continues and has resulted in 238 personnel being inducted as at 30th June 2021". How many further inductions will take place this year? The Minister, in his reply, also stated:

As at 30th June 2021, the strength of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) was 8,519 personnel ... [and] the Government remains committed to returning to, and maintaining the agreed strength of the Permanent Defence Force at 9,500 personnel, comprised of 7,520 Army personnel, 886 Air Corps personnel and 1,094 Naval Service personnel, as set out in the White Paper on Defence (2015).

It would be lovely to see the Air Corps personnel figure increase to 1,000. It is a nice round figure and it would be great reach that level, but we all must commit to bringing the number of Defence Forces personnel to 9,500 again.

When speaking to young people in second level schools, in particular, and some starting third level, I am struck by the number who say they would love a career in the Army. For some reason - perhaps it is because we do not sell it to them - the interest just dwindles away. We need to look at a better way of selling a career in the Army, promoting it in a different way and giving it a special place. When people speak to their career guidance counsellor, it should be explained that a career in the Army can be highly satisfying. I know many people, some of whom went to school with me, who are now retiring. Serving in the Army was such a satisfying career for them where they travelled abroad and helped communities. I recall how, in rural Ireland, the Army provided security for the cash being transported to the banks. When we were going to school it was exciting to see the Army on the street at our local bank branch as the money was brought in by the security people. Unfortunately, not many bank branches are left in our smaller towns.

I commend the Minister on the way he is handling recent events. We are taking this opportunity this evening to make that point and I am sure he appreciates that. I wish him well with the progression of the Bill. He will certainly have my full support in ensuring Defence Forces numbers increase to 9,500 and, in whatever possible way, we sell an Army career to people in a more professional way because many more people would join if it was sold in a better way.