Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Okay. That is not clear from the documentation. I thank Mr. Callinan for clarifying the position.

Not unlike other entities which have been before the committee, the Garda Síochána is suffering to some extent on foot of the fact that these allowances developed in an ad hoc way. Mr. Stone made his organisation's position very clear, particularly in respect of the rent allowance and the fact that this forms part of core pay. The parallel he drew with the Defence Forces in this regard was extremely accurate. When the bicycle allowance was discussed earlier, it brought to mind Flann O'Brien's novel The Third Policeman. I do not know if the Commissioner has read that book. There is a consensus view among those on the opposite side of the table that what is needed is some form of consolidation in respect of the pay system. The Minister has indicated that such a consolidation will be worked towards. Has the Minister engaged in discussions with the Commissioner in respect of timeframe relating to the process of bringing rent allowance and other allowances within the umbrella of core pay?