Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

That is the fundamental point that has just been made. Mr. Kevin O'Higgins said in 1924 that those who wear the uniform of the State must serve the State and that principle has stood us in good stead. I have been working in the best interests of the Defence Force members. We have done a lot in the last year and a half and before that in terms of improving matters across the board. In many ways, I believe this is a protection for members of the Defence Forces as well. It gives them clarity.

To answer the question that Senator Wilson and others asked, there is no bar or prohibition on members of the Defence Forces being members of a community group. The only issue here is if they do so while in uniform or if they make themselves identifiable as-----