Defence Forces: Motion
Seanad Éireann — 2026-01-21
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Gerard P. Craughwell (IND), Labour Panel

I move amendment No. 1:
After “acknowledges:”, to insert the following paragraphs:
“- Ireland’s naval defences are very weak, and the Government has not ordered any new naval ships;
- there is a lack of strategic thinking on the part of the Government, and this has reduced our capability;
- many members of the Defence Forces do not get private health care or only receive a few benefits;
- Cadets like many in the Defence Forces are underpaid - during training they only get paid €22,000 and after training they will earn less than €40,000;
- there must be the implementation of a payment to Officer Instructors in the Defence Forces;
- retirement benefits in the Defence Forces have got worse in recent years;
- the Government must invest in the Reserve Defence Force;”

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2026-01-21/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:31+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-01-21