It is no surprise I am again speaking on defence and defence issues. The first issue I want to speak about is that of drones and the purchase of that equipment. We have had Ministers speaking on television about how three months is plenty of time to have the Defence Forces up and ready for Ireland's Presidency of the European Union. Can any of those Ministers tell me what knowledge or expertise they have in the training and implementation of anti-drone equipment? We need to be honest with the public. We need to be straight with the public and not spin yarns that we have no empirical evidence to support. From that point of view, I ask those who are speaking on issues with respect to the defence of this country when it comes to the EU Presidency to go and inform themselves with the proper authorities before they speak.

We are about to have a call for cadets for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service. It is a wonderful career. The entry age is from 18 up to 39 years of age but the salary is €25,000 a year. The Government continuously adverts to the qualified salary. Once you are qualified and commissioned, you will have a salary of between €45,000 and €50,000 a year. For a 39-year-old, let us be honest about it, €25,000 a year is nonsense. Recruits joining to become enlisted personnel are being paid €42,000 a year. The Government has done a good job with respect to entry level for the enlisted ranks. It is time to look at the cadet salaries and increase the salary to what it should be. Even an 18-year-old could go and work in one of the supermarkets packing shelves for €25,000 and have a better life on it. I note that the Leader comes from a military town and has an interest in these issues. I ask him to bring it up at his own parliamentary party meeting. Let us have an honest discussion on cadet pay. Let us make sure that they are being paid a salary that is commensurate. We are training the future leaders of the country. Let us give them a decent start in life where they can at least live and have some life.

Those who go into the cadets, are expected to dress in a particular way. When they are not on duty, they are expected to behave in a particular way. We saw that when we visited the enlisted guys out in Gormanston. They work from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m. They get a weekend pass into the local village but are not allowed to partake in alcohol or anything like that. The training is quite strict. Let us give them a decent start in life and a decent start to their career.

I want to congratulate Senator Fitzpatrick on her work in the area of scramblers and the abusive use of mobility devices such as scramblers and scooters. I have to congratulate the Senator on it. I should put it on the floor of the House and thank the Senator for that work.