Defence Minister criticised for suspending recruitment

The Minister for Defence, Michael Smith has been criticised for suspending recruitment of the Defence Forces.

The decision has been described as a "body blow" for the Defence Forces, according to Fine Gael's defence spokesman, Dinny McGinley TD.

"I am calling on the Minister for Defence to immediately clarify the situation regarding recruitment to the Defence Forces," said McGinley.

"To suspend recruitment at this stage, in the wake of cancelling the helicopter purchase deal last week would be a further body blow to the members of the defence forces whose morale has already been fractured.

"Personnel numbers are already depleted to the lowest levels since the foundation of the state. Any further reduction would have serious implications for the validity of the forces and should not be tolerated," Deputy McGinley added.