Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Cuirim fáilte roimh na finnéithe chuig an gcruinniú seo. I have a couple of questions. I am not sure if they are security-sensitive. The big thing is the air traffic controllers. Everyone is talking about it. What is the current state of play with that? The witnesses might be more comfortable giving us a written reply on it but how are we fixed regarding the air traffic controllers? Are there any other services at critical or worrying level in relation to the matter before us today?

On the new service commitment scheme, do the witnesses think it is fit for purpose? Is it ambitious enough? How many controllers does it include? Does it exclude anyone? The big question we are all asking is do they think it is going to deliver? Will it work? Does it exclude any of those currently in service? If so, there will be all sorts of problems.

A direct entry scheme will be advertised for qualified civilian controllers. It would be helpful to know the terms or conditions of that at some stage. How will the Defence Forces attract qualified and experienced controllers? The civilian ATC organisation and all the evidence point to the fact that civilian controller conditions are far more attractive. I am conscious there was mention in one of the opening statements that the disparity between the pay rates of highly specialised military personnel and their civilian equivalents remains. Will the witnesses give a sense of how much that is in percentage or money terms? It is quite substantial, I believe.

My next question is about the pension scheme. Are the witnesses supportive of the occupational supplementary pension at normal retirement age for Defence Forces members of the single public service pension scheme? I believe affects up to 60% of all Defence Forces personnel. I think it was described by the former Chief of Staff as a catalyst for pushing Defence Forces personnel to leave. What measures do the Department and military leadership intend to pursue to secure the future of this ever-increasing cohort of military personnel? Will they commit to seeking a review of the current policy on that? That is a fair number of questions.