James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

That concludes the first round from the members present. One or two other members have been dipping in and out but they are in the Chamber at the moment. I am going to invite members to indicate for a second round but I will put a few questions before I do that. Members have had thematic questions but I have picked up a few others as we have gone along. There was reference to recruitment in, I think, the GRA presentation and definitely in the AGSI presentation. The two most recent budgets announced it was intended to recruit 1,000 members in the year ahead. I think the statement said that only 600 were recruited in the last year or possibly the year before. Why was that?

Both representatives associations elaborated on potential recruitment issues, one being the pension. On the pension, I invite comment from the two associations and from anyone who wants to express a view. My understanding is that there is an anomaly if a member of the force retires and then goes on to do some part-time work in any area. Rather than losing, say, a day a week from their pension payment on a pro rata basis, I understand they actually lose a third of the pension. Am I correct in that? Have the GRA and AGSI made representations on that issue? What are their views on it?