Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There is a lot in that. I will briefly add my part before we move into answers. My big concern is the lack of any optimism on the part of our five guests. The big difference between now and the last time we met is the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces. I find the level of pessimism and discontent to be quite worrying and before we conclude I would like to hear whether there is any optimism or bright light at the end of the tunnel. Last week, as members said, we had a lengthy session with a senior official in the Department of Defence and the Chief of Staff. We note, as far as the report of the commission is concerned, that the Government committed to a range of actions on pay and recruitment. The Minister was before the committee some months ago and he will be here again before the end of the year. Members of the high level implementation group committed to keeping in close contact with us. The Government tells us, for example, that a number of projects have already been undertaken. It mentioned the commission's recommendation concerning pay structures, the removal of the requirement of a private 3-star able seaman marking time, the payment of the full rate of the military service allowance and further evaluation, as it says, in the matter of discussions between the Department of Defence and the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform. I will not go into detail, but as far as the mandatory retirement age is concerned, there is a level of, if not progress, intent in terms of looking at the working time directive.

What disappoints me is that in all these three areas, the Department of Defence is drawing on issues that are outside of its control. As far as the working time directive is concerned, it looks to issues under the auspices of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. On the matter of the mandatory retirement age, it is the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform. On the matter of the pay and allowances, it points to the same Department. That seems to be a real impediment to the implementation of the Commission on the Defence Forces targets. I want to know what RACO is being told in terms of a timeframe for the implementation of the working time directive. The directive is not something new. It is going on for years. Has RACO any type of engagement with Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform?

RACO mentioned interdepartmental working groups. There is one looking at the mandatory retirement age. We had the issue as far as the Garda Síochána is concerned. It seems that progress is slow. What is RACO hearing in terms of any issues as far as the implementation is concerned that gives it a cause of optimism that it can go to its members and say this is really happening?

I certainly take on board what Senator O'Reilly has said about what we might do. If RACO cannot engage directly with the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, perhaps we can, either through representations to Ministers or through parliamentary questions, for which there are members here who are far better equipped than me in their use and who do it to good effect.

My overall concern is the absence of optimism that matters are moving along the lines we certainly expected and that perhaps we were led to believe in earlier meetings. We will be able to come back to it and will commit to RACO that we will certainly do that between now and the end of the year.