New figures obtained by Sinn Fein show the reality of the Defence Forces’ effort to keep operating at a meaningful level.

There are 459 vacancies in the army alone that need to be filled in order to get us to, what the army calls, an ‘establishment’ strength - meaning minimum strength.

The combined strength of the Armed Forces should be 9,500, yet it is currently standing at under 8,800.

Aengus O’Snodaigh is Sinn Fein’s Spokesperson on Defence and TD for Dublin South-Central,

O'Snodaigh wants to see greater supports for the armed forces, while Ivan stuck to his position that it's largely a waste of resources.