Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We were very proud as a nation last week, collectively and properly, of our Naval Service and how it dealt with the drugs haul. It certainly distinguished itself and made us proud. It brings into question the entire resourcing of our Naval Service, our Defence Forces in general and our Reserve Defence Force. There is a twin problem in our Defences Forces. First, there is the problem of recruitment and then there is the problem of retention. I do not have the figures with me - they are in my car - but I know there are fewer than 8,000 at the moment. I think there are 7,900 and something. It is way below the optimum figure and 79% of what it should be. It is a very serious state of affairs. I would like the Leader to bring this issue to the Minister, also the Tánaiste in this instance, and perhaps have a special debate about it.

A very high-profile recruitment campaign for the Defence Forces is needed, going into schools, etc. Retention procedures are also needed. With that, there needs to be pension reform. The Department of Finance and the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform must look at the pension schemes in this case and at a retention allowance for members of the permanent Defence Forces who continue to serve to get a financial incentive. This was previously costed; it would come in very reasonably and would achieve the objective of keeping people in the Defence Forces. That is needed, as well as pension reform.

The working time directive, as per EU law, needs to be implemented to allow members of the Defence Forces to have normal family life and a predictable existence so they can go home to their families and know when they are going home to their families. It should not be beyond the genius of management to arrange that. If there could be a proper pension structure, a retention allowance - which will come in cheaply and is very effective - proper hours in the form of proper rostering and the implementation of the working time directive, then we could hold onto those who are there and, I hope, recruit new people. Equally, we must approach our Reserve Defence Force with similar gusto. Last week brought into focus the importance and need of our Defence Forces. I look forward to the Leader's response. We may get back to this issue with a debate if she so wishes.