Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I understand that. This is what annoys me about reporters. They only take one side. Did they ask whether members of the Defence Forces received the overseas duty allowance while they were home on leave for three weeks? I am not being flippant. Members of the Irish Defence Forces take three weeks' leave. I do not mind where they go - they can go to Cyprus, Spain or Australia or come back here - but while they are on leave, they continue to receive the daily overseas duty allowance even though they are not there. That is right and proper because they are on leave. That is the way it is. Some people choose to come home while others go to Cyprus or other destinations. I did not see the article in question but perhaps it should have stated that they continued to receive the allowance or perhaps whoever gave the story to the newspapers should have provided the full story, which is that they receive the full overseas duty allowance while at home.