Defence Forces manpower
Deputy Durkan asked whether promised Defence legislation would address Defence Forces manpower levels or whether that would be handled separately. The Taoiseach said a commission was expected in the autumn and that recruitment and retention would be tackled proactively.
On the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2020, which is promised legislation, is it intended to addressed the issues of manpower levels within the Defence Forces in that context of that Bill or is it intended to do it separately in anticipation of that Bill?
Comment on this
We hope that the commission provided for in the programme for Government will be set up in the autumn. We will not be wasting time in terms of moving to help the Defence Forces to recruit and retain staff more effectively. As Taoiseach, it is a matter about which I am very concerned and I know the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence is concerned about it as well. We intend to take a proactive approach to the matter.