Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I think Deputy Carthy is right. There is not a fundamental principle difference at all between us; rather, the difference relates to how it is to be implemented. I do not think that is a small matter because, as has been referenced, the biggest issue we have relates to recruiting and retaining members, and we should not be perceived in any way as being restrictive. It runs counter to the evolution of militaries throughout Europe, where people are participative in community in a much greater way than the military was in the past as a separate entity. I am conscious, having once had responsibility for the public service and, indeed, the Civil Service, that in many ways our requirements for the Civil Service to be apolitical and not to be involved in any politics is even more important than the requirement for the Defence Forces, I would submit, and I cannot think of any legal prohibitions of this scale in respect of civil servants. The Tánaiste's officials might refer to them if they do exist like this-----