Helen McEntee
Meath East · Fine Gael · Ireland
“There are no new missions, so there is only so much we can partake in. In regard to UN requests over the past ten years, in September 2019, we had 14 Defence Forces personnel deployed to a UN mission in Mali as part of a joint operation with the German armed forces.”
“I thank the Deputy for his continued engagement on this matter. It is appreciated and I reaffirm our shared commitment to truth and justice, not least for Private Rooney, but in particular for his family.”
“I thank the Deputy for raising the matter. I know he is committed to this issue; I am too. I have in recent months spent some time travelling to different barracks and Army bases and meeting with personnel. What I see all over the country is their professionalism, dedication and commitment.”
“I disagree that people are being pushed into the courts. The situation is exactly the opposite. I have said in the Chamber many times since I started taking these questions that the State Claims Agency is there and wants to mediate and work directly with people in order that cases do not go directly to the courts.”
“We are all committed to strengthening recruitment to and supporting retention in the Permanent Defence Force. The military authorities have advised that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force stood at 7,823 personnel on 31 May, the most recent date for which we have a figure available.”
“It is the case that no mission is the same, so it is also a matter for the Defence Forces to assess and scope out the mission and then to decide whether it is a mission we can partake in. A question keeps being asked about what it is we would not be able to be a part of if we were to keep the triple lock.”
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“We will work to maintain that co-operation during our EU Presidency this year, where it is appropriate and valuable to do so. In the meantime, Ireland will continue to co-ordinate closely with EU partners and consider all potential courses of action for the transatlantic relationship, guided by what will best serve Irish and European citizens. After almost four years of brutal Russian aggression, Ireland remains unequivocal in our solidarity and support for Ukraine. The recent visit to Ireland by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy brought into focus what the stakes were, not just for Ukraine, but for Ireland and Europe as a whole.”
“The EU and US joint statement that was issued in August last year provided a degree of much-needed certainty and confirmed a single 15% US tariff on EU goods. Any decision to impose an additional tariff only serves to undermine transatlantic relations and would be utterly incompatible with the EU-US trade agreement that was reached last year. We are co-ordinating closely with our EU and wider European partners in response to this overall announcement. I reiterated my position in my call with Kaja Kallas on Monday. Yesterday, I updated the Government on the situation. Tomorrow, the Taoiseach will attend an extraordinary European Council, where these issues will be discussed. We have been clear that the only way forward is through dialogue and engagement, in keeping with the long-standing tradition of transatlantic co-operation.”
“This engagement is fundamentally challenged, however, by recent US actions and statements regarding Greenland and tariff threats against a number of EU member states, the UK and Norway, which are akin to a threat of tariffs against all of us. Our position is clear: the future of Greenland is a matter to be determined by Denmark and by the Greenlandic people in line with well-established democratic principles and international law. We have also been clear, along with our EU partners, in communicating our commitment to the international legal order. I communicated that to my Danish colleague this morning. The sovereignty and territorial integrity of states is a fundamental principle of the United Nations Charter. We continue to advocate for the resolution of international disputes through dialogue.”
“Earlier this month, I took part in a meeting of the coalition of the willing in Paris to discuss efforts to secure a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. Preparations for Ireland's Presidency in the second half of this year are well under way. The Presidency will take place in this challenging geopolitical context. I will work closely with my colleagues, the Ministers of State, Thomas Byrne and Neale Richmond, on all these issues. I will start by addressing the situation with regard to Greenland, which I know is of interest and concern to many in this House and is very much a topic of conversation today again. Ireland is a strong advocate for close transatlantic relations, and we have welcomed the increased engagement between Brussels and Washington in recent months, particularly on trade, the Middle East and Ukraine.”
“We must also work to uphold our own interests in this changing geopolitical context to protect our citizens and our economy and to work with partners to ensure our security. Our EU membership in this regard remains critical. Since becoming Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, I have engaged extensively with EU and like-minded partners on a wide range of issues. On Monday just this week, I spoke to High Representative Kaja Kallas and a number of EU colleagues about developments in relation to Greenland, the Middle East and Ukraine. Last week, I travelled to Egypt and Jordan to advance our relations with these key partners and to discuss the ongoing and dire situation in the Middle East, in particular in Gaza.”
“I welcome this opportunity to provide Members with an update on recent developments in international relations at what is an extremely important time. We face an unprecedented and unpredictable geopolitical context. The rules-based order on which our security and our prosperity, and that of our EU partners, depends is increasingly under challenge. Russia's brutal war in Ukraine, in particular, continues to transform the security environment in Europe. The key values and principles that underpin our foreign policy will continue to drive our response across these challenges: our emphasis on dialogue and engagement with partners, first and foremost; the peaceful resolution of conflicts; and our continued support for multilateralism and the application of international law, among others.”
“I know of the Deputy's interest and through the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade and in other ways, my officials in the Department and I are happy to work with him and engage with him on this matter, as hopefully we can reach a solution and a conclusion that is suitable for everyone.”
“Of course, when it comes to the UN as an organisation, it has to be something that we look to, support, strengthen and enhance in the years ahead because there are many challenges. As an organisation, it faces many challenges in the very important work it does. I would restate in regard to this issue that in our own engagement on this, we have to continue to take account of the role of the insights provided by the personal envoy of the UN Secretary General but it is very much our hope that the efforts of all involved here will help achieve a just and lasting political solution that will provide for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara. Ireland's position continues to be guided by that aim.”
“On the Deputy's initial point, interestingly, today in Cabinet, we brought forward a review of Global Ireland 2025, which has been our strategy for a number of years. While the objective within that was to enhance, grow and double our footprint, within that, if you dig down into it, it is about enhancing and strengthening relationships, linking in with our Irish diaspora and seeing how we can grow those connections and use our own experience, expertise and knowledge to support other countries. Morocco is no different and there are many other countries as well. As we look to our Global Ireland 2040 plan, which I hope can be published before the Presidency next year, we will build and grow on that huge amount of work that has been done.”
“Officials at the headquarters of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and in the mission network continue to be in contact with relevant parties in support of efforts to achieve a solution to this long-standing dispute. As Ireland considers the implication of the mission mandate renewal and efforts to resolve this long-standing dispute, I assure the Deputy and this House that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and I as Minister will continue to keep any relevant developments under review, including in the context of EU and UN discussions. I am happy to talk further with the Deputy on all of this.”
“Following the adoption by the Security Council of Resolution 2797, which the Deputy referenced, the personal envoy outlined that the Resolution provides a framework for negotiations. To quote the statement of the personal envoy, the resolution "does not prescribe an outcome ... which will, as always, in order to be sustainable, be the result of negotiations conducted in good faith." The personal envoy also stated that engaging in negotiations "does not mean automatically to accept an outcome." The personal envoy plans to call all parties to submit proposals and suggestions in order to allow the UN to develop a broad agenda for direct or indirect talks on the most relevant issues. In accordance with the resolution, the parties are Morocco, the Polisario Front, Algeria and Mauritania.”
“It does so "with a view to achieving a just, lasting, and mutually acceptable resolution to the dispute, consistent with the UN Charter, and welcomes any constructive suggestions by the parties in response to the Autonomy Proposal;" Ireland is still considering the implications of the MINURSO mandate renewal following its adoption. Our position on Western Sahara has been, and continues to be, guided by the aim of achieving a just and lasting political solution that will provide for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara. Our engagement on this issue will also continue to take account of the role of and the insights provided by the personal envoy of the UN Secretary General for Western Sahara, Staffan de Mistura.”
“In November 2020, the UN-mandated ceasefire collapsed and low-level hostilities resumed along the 2,700 km-long sand berm that separates Polisario and Morocco-controlled territory. Actual hostilities remain at a low level at the moment. As the Deputy has pointed out, on 31 October, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 2797, extending the MINURSO mandate for one year, until 31 October 2026. The resolution received 11 votes in favour and three Council members abstained. Ireland is not currently a member of the United Nations Security Council, although we have been in the past. As set out in the text of the resolution, the UN Security Council "expresses its full support for the Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy in facilitating and conducting negotiations taking as basis Morocco's Autonomy Proposal".”
“I apologise for delaying everybody. I thank Deputy Ó Fearghaíl for raising this important issue. I welcome the opportunity to update the House on the subject of Western Sahara. As we have heard, the House is aware that since 1975, Western Sahara has been the subject of a territorial dispute between Morocco and the Polisario Front. The United Nations recognises Western Sahara as a non-self-governing territory under international law. In 1991, MINURSO was established by Security Council Resolution 690, in accordance with the United Nations and the Organisation of African Unity settlement proposals accepted by Morocco and the Polisario Front. The referendum has not taken place. However, MINURSO has continued to perform tasks entrusted to it by the UN Security Council.”
“For those who make the ultimate sacrifice on the missions they are committed to, we must ensure their families are supported. My colleague has given a commitment that no stone will be left unturned in ensuring there is justice and that we have all the answers. I reaffirm that commitment. I will get back to the Deputy directly on the pension issue.”
“This is something I raised directly with my Lebanese counterpart, Youssef Rajji, when I met with him yesterday prior to the EU-Lebanon Association Council meeting. I referred to the trauma that has been inflicted on Private Rooney's family, the need for answers and the need to ensure we have the full co-operation and support of the Lebanese Government regarding the appeal. We will continue to engage with the Lebanese authorities in that regard. It is absolutely essential that we have answers and an appropriate response to what has happened to date. I have written to Private Rooney's mother and I hope to meet with his family in the new year and engage directly with them on this matter.”
“I mentioned in response to an earlier question the investment that is going into technologies within the Defence Forces to enable them to identify and reject these types of threats. There has been huge investment in recent years in An Garda Síochána. Through the Department of enterprise, working with IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland, there has also been huge investment to ensure businesses are alert to these types of threats, are able to respond to them and know exactly who to go when these types of incidents occur. We all need to work collectively on this issue. A huge amount of funding will be spent on the Defence Forces and, with that, we will make sure the right structures and resources are in place to protect that investment.”
“I commend the men and women of the Defence Forces on the fantastic work they do. In my time as Minister for Defence, my priority will be investing in them and their capabilities, including their ability to respond to emerging threats. It is also important to acknowledge the historic role our troops have played in peacekeeping. That will continue to be a focus and priority. Regarding the changing environment and changing threats, so much has moved to cyber threats. It is an issue that is raised regularly with all of us by companies small and large and by our agencies as well. It is vitally important that we continually invest in all our abilities to respond to these types of threats.”
“If there are operating procedures that need to be enhanced, improved or changed and if better structures need to be put in place, that certainly should be done. I reiterate that there was not a closing of airspace and no significant issue arose. Of course we need to be very serious about any type of threat and any types of drones in our airspace or within the vicinity of our vessels. This is something we are taking extremely seriously. It is why we are prioritising within the €1.7 billion budget the development of new radar capabilities and the expansion of our sonar, air fleet and ground fleet.”
“I have confidence in our ability to defend ourselves and those who travel to this country. However, we all appreciate that there is more we need to do. We are no different from any other country in that regard. There are, of course, standard operating procedures, SOPs, different rules of engagement and different laws depending on whether an incident occurs on sea, air or land. It is for those who are trained and who are operating on the ground to respond and make sure they comply with the different standard operating procedures. At all times, whether it was the Naval Service or those responding, those involved in this incident operated within the SOPs. However, as there should be with any incident like this, a review is taking place and the Garda is working closely with the Defence Forces on that.”
“This is something we are seeing more and more of across Europe and the world. The work of the Defence Forces in this space aligns with broader national security planning that is ongoing. Work is well under way on the military radar programme I mentioned earlier, which is a significant capability enhancement. A dedicated project team of senior civil and military personnel has been advancing this programme, particularly in relation to the counter-drone element and it is being actively pursued by my officials. This morning, I brought to Cabinet the next stages of the new radar system. We have put forward the new preliminary business case. We are partnering with France and I hope early in the new year to be able to bring the final business, so that we can start what will be an extensive roll-out of our new radar capabilities.”
“I have been fully briefed, in my capacity as Minister for Defence as part of the national security committee, on the initial findings and I am reassured by both the Defence Forces and An Garda Síochána that they have examined and are examining this matter extensively. While I can confirm a C70 was issued by An Garda Síochána to the Defence Forces seeking assistance in respect of the visit of President Zelenskyy, the Deputy will appreciate I cannot comment further because these are operational matters. However, a C70 form was issued by An Garda Síochána to the Defence Forces. One of my key priorities as Minister for Defence is to ensure our Defence Forces capabilities are maintained, developed and enhanced so that the organisation can meet all Government-assigned roles, including those that may arise as a result of drone incursions.”
“I propose to take Questions No. 103 and 112 together. Deputy Malcolm Byrne, who submitted Question No. 112, is not here. As I outlined in my earlier response, the widely reported incident regarding drones operating in the vicinity of the Naval Service vessel has been discussed here at length this evening. Notwithstanding some suggestions, President Zelenskyy's flight was not compromised and the security operation led by An Garda Síochána was successfully deployed through multiple means, ultimately leading to a safe and successful visit. When we are speaking about these issues, we all need to ensure that we are speaking about the facts. I appreciate Deputy Conway-Walsh is asking for facts but in some instances only limited information can be provided given the security nature of what we are discussing.”
“All I can say is that another application can be made if there is further evidence or information that can be provided on behalf of the individual. If that is done, the Department can look at it again.”
“I thank Deputy Ó Laoghaire. If he writes to me directly on that matter, I will respond to him. In response to Deputy O'Hara, I appreciate that this was highly specific prior to 1958 when many changes were made. Before 1958, applications were required to state the name of the unit, subunit, battalion company, former brigade, battalion and the company officers commanding. Given that this process was wound up in 1958 and that there are no surviving members alive to verify membership, and in light of the time that has elapsed, it is hard to investigate or verify information in terms of existing departmental records. That is why it is very difficult. It is also the reason that posthumous awards are applied in a small number of the applications made.”
“I advise that if the individual representing the person wants to make a further application, there is quite a stringent process in place. There are strict set criteria that need to be complied with but the matter can be looked at again if the person makes a further application.”
“The Deputy outlined some of the details, but he will appreciate that without having all the information, it is hard to make a decision or to be able to respond effectively. While I said it is very difficult, it is certainly not impossible for medals to be awarded posthumously. In 2024, 15 posthumous medal applications and five medals were awarded. I do not know when Michael Morrissey applied initially or whether he was one of those 15. To date this year, 14 applications have been received and five medals awarded. Of the remaining nine, three were refused because they did not meet the criteria. Three were found to have been awarded previously, so there was obviously an overlap, and three applications are in progress.”
“However, there are no plans to put in place wider arrangements or to lower the criteria in relation to the award of posthumous medals. Certainly, if there is an individual the Deputy is referring to specifically, a request for applications can be addressed to the pensions administration section of my Department, which is based in Renmore in Galway. I can provide the Deputy with the full postal and email addresses.”
“The process by which applications and petitions or appeals under the Military Service Pensions Acts were investigated and verified was wound up in 1958 and, as the Deputy can appreciate, there are now no surviving members of the old IRA or related organisations who could verify membership. Given the time that has elapsed, there is no mechanism available now by which service and activities can be investigated or verified other than existing departmental records. It is therefore difficult to satisfy the requirements, although it is not impossible and, over the last number of years, there have been people who have satisfied the requirements and been awarded medals posthumously. All applications for a posthumous medal made to my Department are carefully considered.”
“The medal without bar was to be issued to persons who were enrolled in the Irish Republican Army, Fianna Éireann, Cumann na mBan or the Irish Citizen Army not less than three months prior to 11 July 1921 but who did not qualify for a pension. In certain exceptional situations, a medal can be posthumously awarded if no medal was previously issued. However, in order not to diminish the intrinsic value of such medals, this is only done in exceptional cases and only where there is incontrovertible verified evidence available that the criteria for the award of a medal have been met.”
“The Government decided in January 1941 that two medals should be struck in respect of service during the 1916-21 period, one for service during Easter week 1916 and the second for subsequent service up to the truce of 11 July 1921. In May 1942, the Government further decided that the second medal, the service medal, should be issued to two groups of people. The medal with bar was to be issued to persons in possession of a military service certificate entitling them to a pension under the Military Service Pensions Acts in respect of the period subsequent to 1916 and prior to 11 July 1921 and to those persons not in possession of a certificate who could satisfy the Minister for Defence that, had they applied for a pension, their service was such as would have merited the award of a pension.”
“While I do not want to pre-empt the outcome, some of the risks considered in this further evaluation included greater rigidity in the Defence Forces as a result of an increasingly hierarchical structure, a lack of differentiation between roles, slower progression through the ranks and lack of ambition or opportunities for advancement. This is all being looked at on both sides at the moment. The review being undertaken by the Defence Forces is under way. It will not be completed until next year. It is at that stage that these decisions will be taken.”
“In recommending it, the commission was of the view that the creation of the rank of lance corporal would allow earlier rank progression for enlisted personnel with leadership potential and that it would offer unit commanders and senior NCOs the opportunity to assess the leadership ability of junior personnel before further advancement. The rank would also be useful for specialist trades, allowing privates to advance and carry out supervisory functions without the need to complete the full potential NCO course. These are some of the reasons the commission made the recommendation. However, different risks or challenges were identified when the recommendation was evaluated further. After examining the benefits and the opportunities, the evaluation process also considered these risks.”
“I believe the main reason for this ask is that it would give privates the opportunity to do a shorter course but all of this has to be looked at in the overall context of force design. There is a lot of work under way as part of general force design. This is very much part of that overall review. Decisions will be taken in the new year as to whether we will move on this.”
“On the evaluation of the Commission on the Defence Forces recommendations, a number of factors have to be taken into consideration before a decision can be made. These include military management advice on the introduction of the rank, the potential benefits to individual personnel, the future role of personnel at this new rank, the impact on career progression for personnel, the impact of increasingly hierarchical structures, and the legislative and financial implications, which may not be to the fore. The report noted that this rank exists in a number of other militaries, specifically those of the UK and the US. It is provided between the ranks of private three star and corporal. All of these different situations and scenarios need to be taken into consideration before this is taken on board.”
“The mandatory retirement age has been increased to 62, private secondary healthcare has been rolled out to all PDF members, the patrol duty allowance has been doubled, the Naval Service tax credit has been extended for a further five years and there has also been significant progress on pay. There is more work that needs to be done. That work is happening at the moment. We will then be able to make a more informed decision on this rank.”
“Such further evaluation will also require consultation with other key stakeholders, including the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, regarding all aspects of the resource, policy, financial and legislative implications of introducing a new rank into the Defence Forces. I also point out that the Government has implemented a range of measures aimed at addressing the recruitment and retention challenges in the Defence Forces. I have mentioned these already. They include the increase in the maximum recruitment age to 39 years for those roles that had a recruitment age below that and to 50 years for direct entry specialists.”
“The report recommended, "The Chief of Defence to initiate an immediate force design process assisted by external experts with access to international military expertise." This is the same force design process I mentioned earlier, which will help us achieve our overall targets. The Defence Forces have established force design teams within the Army, the Naval Service and the Air Corps and an overarching strategic force design office. The force design teams are working with external expertise in designing a structure for a modern force of Ireland’s size taking into account the Defence Forces' roles and the capabilities required to deliver these roles. The outcome of the work on force design will inform further evaluation on the introduction of the rank of lance corporal.”
“The Commission on the Defence Forces report recommended significant changes for the Defence Forces and defence provision in Ireland. It covered high-level Defence Forces structures, defence capabilities, organisation, culture and human resources, the Reserve Defence Force and funding. One of the recommendations in the report was the creation of a new enlisted rank of lance corporal in the Army and Air Corps. The detailed implementation plan for the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces has identified that this recommendation requires further evaluation. The further evaluation will be informed by work under way in the Defence Forces on force design, which is also a Commission on the Defence Forces recommendation.”
“We need to make that they are always up to date and that we are able to respond to the changing threats and environments that are there. I have no doubt that I will be chairing that meeting in the near future. In fact, I know that I will. It is important that we make sure that we are alert and live to all types of threat and that the different arms of the State are working together and in close in communication. The Garda Commissioner and the head of the Defence Forces are working closely together, not just because of the EU Presidency, but because of the changing nature of the threats that we have both referenced.”
“I agree with the Deputy that the changing nature of threats is clearly moving towards hybrid threats in a way that we have never dealt with before. I know from a previous role that the Garda has been investing significantly in its capabilities, capacity and workforce. That is why we are doing what we are doing here with the Defence Forces. There is an emergency group that I chair when it relates to specific defence matters. It is chaired by the Minister for the environment if there are natural disasters or other issues that need to be dealt with. This group brings together all of the relevant bodies to be able to respond to particular threats, be they hybrid threats, cyber threats or otherwise. That group meets as it needs to and there are protocols in place.”
“Key areas of the strategy include: to prevent and defend against cyberattacks on Defence Forces' networks; to develop a comprehensive programme of training and cyber-related subjects; to identity and protect critical defence infrastructure and increase resilience to cyber attacks; and to conduct ongoing risk assessments to evaluate the potential impact and likelihood of cyberattacks on Defence Forces' networks. That is our focus immediately when looking at the Defence Forces themselves. However, I have no doubt that, as this beds down and our capability and capacity increase, there will be more ways in which we will be able to work collectively and closely with An Garda Síochána on this issue.”
“Relating to cybersecurity, the primary role of the Defence Forces is to defend and secure their networks and systems. The role of the Garda is to do the same and to look at other areas as well. Specifically in relation to the joint cybersecurity command, there are three key pillars to it: the joint command centre, which is receiving investment and is being developed; the strategy itself; and the additional posts. I will have to come back to the Deputy on the figure as regards the overall objective. The focus of my Department now, working with the Defence Forces, is on working on the implementation of all of this. That is happening. I believe a meeting is taking place as soon as tomorrow between members of my Department and the Defence Forces to make sure that the elements of the strategy can be implemented.”
“The funding that I announced last week of €300 million for this year, rising to a further €360 million by 2029, illustrates the investment we are making in the Defence Forces, our capability and modernising infrastructure. It is important when we are doing that and investing in so much technology and equipment that we make sure that we have the right types of response, resource and structure in place to protect all of the investment.”
“I am satisfied that, from a defence perspective, we are developing a positive trajectory to ensure that the new cyber defence command unit is well positioned to meet the ambitious targets set out in the cyber strategy. The Defence Forces will liaise and work with their counterparts in An Garda Síochána in addressing and countering cyber threats. The work that is being done through this specific unit is only specifically looking at the Defence Forces and making sure that they are protected from any type of cyber threat. As time goes on, though, and working with An Garda Síochána, there is more we can do to look beyond that.”
“Additionally, to make sure that there is appropriate infrastructure, the development of the purpose-built communications and information services, CIS, office block in McKee Barracks has been approved and procurement of same will commence shortly so that we do not just have the personnel, but also the physical infrastructure that is needed. To give effect to the strategy, the specialist units have been assigned. The new Defence Forces officer has been appointed to head up a specific unit at brigadier general level. In addition, my Department is engaging with the Public Appointments Service to recruit the various different specialists.”
“The Department has approved the assignment of 19 Defence Forces specialist posts to kick-start the operation of this unit, which is headed by an officer of general rank. My Department has engaged with the Public Appointments Service to recruit ten civilian cyber specialists who will be embedded in this new cyber unit. To date, the Public Appointments Service has completed a recruitment campaign for these civilian cyber specialist roles and appointments are in the process of being made, so we are well under way in making sure that this unit has the appropriate support.”
“As recognised in the Report on the Commission on the Defence Forces and accepted by the Government, the Defence Forces need to be capable of delivering military effects across the cyber domain. To this end, my Department published the high-level action plan for the report, which included recommendations relating to the Defence Forces' cyberdefence functions. As a result, the Defence Forces have established the joint cyber defence command, which was established back in 2024. The command will be able to conduct full-spectrum cyberspace operations to robustly defend against cyber threats, support Defence Forces' operations at home and overseas, and enhance technicalities. I will provide the exact figures.”
“The process that is engaged in at the moment is an important step to try to make progress where we can specifically in relation to this level of pay scale. The overall improvements we have seen over the years have come about because of the need and commitment to invest in the men and women as they are training, but also as they rise through the ranks. I am committed to making further progress on that where we can and to working closely with the organisations and representative groups. They are now part of ICTU. With the public sector pay agreements, it gives the Defence Forces an opportunity to make sure that they are now represented at the table. That is a welcome development in recent years.”
“Yes, I intend to meet them in the new year and really look forward to meeting them. I also had an opportunity to meet and speak with cadets who were quite literally mid-training when I was in the Curragh last week. There were some who had completely changed their career paths because they were passionate about joining the Defence Forces. There were others whose siblings had been members as well and they wanted to join. It was wonderful to see the commitment and the fact that they were there because it was something they were passionate about. I appreciate that the entry point for cadets in training is lower. They receive board and food. That is a cost that is taken away from them. It depends on the different cadetships; they are anywhere from 15 to 18 months long. Some may take longer, so there are implications more broadly.”