Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Paul Kehoe, and thank him for his presentation. A number of members have already spoken about the issue of pay for Defence Forces' personnel which has been highlighted over the past few months in the media and is currently being examined by the independent pay commission. Will the Minister of State elaborate on the non-pay issues that contribute to the Defence Forces not being able to retain personnel and what is being done to address these issues in order that serving members can be retained? Will the Minister of State also confirm if Defence Forces' members continue to be provided with opportunities to serve overseas and what incentives are offered in this regard?

A matter that has been recently brought to my attention is the unrecoverable costs which Army personnel from the west of Ireland face. I refer in this regard to personnel operating out of Finner Camp when tasked with 24-hour duties in Dublin. Is this issue being examined by the independent pay commission?