Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 65: To ask the Minister for Defence if he will make a statement on the appointment of the new Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces approved on 9 June 2010. [30163/10]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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I was delighted the Government accepted my recommendation last month to nominate Major General Sean McCann for appointment by the President as Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces. I look forward to working closely with Lieutenant General McCann in the future and I wish him every success in his endeavours. Lieutenant General McCann succeeds Lieutenant General Dermot Earley, who sadly passed away on 23 June last. Lieutenant General Earley made a truly remarkable contribution to public life, not alone through his hard work and commitment over many years of service in the Defence Forces, but also through his long history as a major GAA star and his contribution to his community and to Irish life generally. The leadership, professionalism and dedication shown by Lieutenant General Earley over the years has brought great honour on the Defence Forces and on this nation as a whole. He will be fondly remembered and sadly missed.

Lieutenant General McCann takes over the reins at this sad time for the Defence Forces. He enlisted in the Defence Forces as a cadet in 1970 and initially served in various Cavalry units before instructing in the Military College. More recently he was Director of Operations at DFHQ in 2007 and subsequently held the appointment of General Officer Commanding the DF Training Centre. He has been the Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations since 2009 and has extensive overseas experience, serving, inter alia, in Lebanon, Kuwait and Sarajevo. I am confident that Lieutenant General McCann can and will make a major contribution in leading the Defence Forces at this challenging time.