Seán Kyne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of the Fine Gael group, I welcome the ambassador to the Seanad Chamber. We offer solidarity to a fellow small country and fellow European Union member. These are worrying times in eastern Europe with all that is going on and possible threats between Russia and Ukraine, so we offer solidarity from a small country that has a long history with foreign powers.

I join in congratulations to the Cathaoirleach and his team in the Houses of the Oireachtas for the wonderful launch yesterday of Seanad 100 with Senator Norris and Mary Robinson. It was wonderfully choreographed and introduced. I commend the work done by Mark Mulqueen and the team. It was a wonderful start to a year of engagement and recognition of the role of the Seanad in this State.

I attended with Senator Crowe a wonderful event on Sunday at Renmore Barracks, Dún Uí Mhaoilíosa, in the heart of Galway city to mark the centenary of the handover of the barracks by British forces to the Irish Army. The Army showcased its splendour and wonderful trappings. There was a family day afterwards and a display of military equipment. Over recent weeks, there has been much media engagement on what is going on in terms of this country's defence capabilities. The Russian manoeuvres in our economic zone were, thankfully, pushed out. Questions have been raised about our military capability. The report of the Commission on the Defence Forces was recently published and has been welcomed. It contains 69 main recommendations and 133 in total. It is time for a debate on the issue. I have not read the report in full. It is quite comprehensive. Serious issues are raised about where we are going in terms of our Defence Forces. What plans do we have? What level of engagement are we planning for? A number of options are stipulated in the report. It looks at different levels of ambition. The step-up to level 2 would require an additional €500 million per annum and level 3 would require expenditure of €3 billion per annum. These are serious questions we have to ask and which are worthy of debate. I know the Minister for Defence, Deputy Coveney, is anxious to engage with key stakeholders in the Oireachtas. It is clear that the type of defence capability that we must retain and the level of resourcing we are willing to commit to equip and train our Defence Forces are worthy of debate in the House. The retention of Army personnel is a key issue, particularly in the first three years. It is not peculiar to Ireland but is worthy of debate. I urge the Acting Leader to contact the Minister to arrange a debate on the issue at the earliest opportunity.