Brendan Smith highlights border staffing and Defence Forces review
Brendan Smith addressed the minister about a diminished Defence Forces footprint in the border region and the northern half of the country, questioning whether there are adequate personnel to meet unique policing and security demands. He welcomed the minister's commitment to act on the Programme for Government pledge to establish a commission on the future of the Defence Forces and urged that the commission include personnel with border experience.
Border region personnel concerns
Brendan Smith said there has been a diminished Defence Forces footprint in the border region and the northern half of the country over the past six to seven years, which he argued has impeded retention of personnel attached to local barracks such as Dooney Nail.
Question about adequacy of staffing
He asked the minister whether he is assured that there are adequate personnel in the northern half of the country, given the unique policing and security demands in that area.
Support for a commission on the future of the Defence Forces
Smith welcomed the minister's commitment to act on the Programme for Government commitment to establish a commission on the future of the Defence Forces and indicated this as a positive step.
Recommendation for commission membership
He recommended that the commission include personnel who have served in the border region and who understand the Defence Forces' work during difficult periods when terrorists posed a threat to the state, arguing that such expertise should inform the future working of the permanent Defence Forces.
Acknowledgement of past Defence Forces service
Brendan Smith emphasised the need to recognise the role played by Defence Forces personnel who stood up and defended the state in challenging times and to ensure that their knowledge contributes to future planning.
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Thank you, Ian Corley. Minister, as you are aware, there has been a diminished Defence Forces footprint in the border region and the northern half of the country in particular in the past six to seven years. Now, I think that that has been an impediment in trying to retain personnel who were attached to barracks in Dooney Nail or in other parts of the northern half of the country. Minister, are you assured that we have adequate personnel in the northern half of the country? as well, because of the unique policing and security demands in that area. Minister, I welcome the commitment you have given that you will be acting on the Programme for Government commitment to establish a commission on the future of the Defence Forces. And could I make a suggestion, Minister, to ensure that you have personnel on that commission who have served in the border region and who are conscious of the great work that our Defence Force has done in very difficult days for our country when we had terrorists proving a threat to our state. And those personnel stood up and defended our state. And we need that expertise and knowledge to be brought to the Commission in regard to the future working of our permanent Defence Forces. Thank you.
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