Kildare TD who served in the Defence Forces speaks ahead of Dáil appearance with US Congress members

An Independent TD who previously served in the Army Ranger Wing of the Defence Forces has spoken to the Leinster Leader ahead of his Dáil appearance tomorrow.

Dr Cathal Berry TD has said that he will be attending the Dáil Chamber tomorrow, where he will meet with members of the United States Congress, as well as a number of US Senators.

He also pointed out that an American Football game will be taking place in the Aviva Stadium tomorrow, and that a US military ship will dock in Ireland.

However, Dr Cathal Berry mostly stressed to the Leader his belief that more needs to be done to the staff crisis currently plaguing the Defence Forces.

Dr Berry said: "There have been plenty of discussions on Ireland's position of neutrality but not enough on it's military capability... that's a far bigger issue, in my view, because it (the debate around Ireland's neutrality status) is theoretical, while the staffing crisis is practical stuff on the ground, it is affecting us right now."

He added: "The situation regarding the Fire Service in the Curragh Camp is symptomatic of the crisis."

Yesterday, Dr Berry said that the main reason the station is under review is the staff crisis in the Defence Forces.

Continuing his point, Dr Berry said: "The Irish army is 33 per cent under strength, and there has been no debate following the publication of the Defence Forces commission report.

"This needs to happen first (before the debate of neutrality)... it's far more important," he concluded.