New figures have revealed that an average of more than 200 Defence Forces personnel were absent from work due to illness every day during the first three-and-a-half months of this year.

Minister of State Paul Kehoe provided the statistics in response to a parliamentary question from Fianna Fail Defence Spokesperson Jack Chambers.

Senator and former member of the Defence Forces Gerard Craughwell joined Ivan to debate the issue, while they were also joined by recently retired senior medical officer with the Defence Forces, Cathal Berry, who is delighted that this issue is finally being highlighted.