Mr. Eugene Gargan:

I would say so. This is something that has developed in recent years. It is a product of working very closely with them and supporting them as well when they need us to assist with security duties, for example, and they are in a pinch. Without speaking for the other representative associations here, whom I am sure will have their own way of expressing their own challenges, we recognise we are all part of the same unit. We will all get stuck in together. We will all undertake the duties as best as our availability allows because most of us only get so many days' holidays throughout the year, so there is a limit on our own availability. When we go in and do as many duties as we can, we will also assist on other taskings that come to us. They might be regimented duties and there could be exercises that the unit needs us for as well.

It is not just necessarily for the enemy roles, as the Senator would know. Typically we would be properly integrated into the unit. When they get to see us operating and they get to see the enthusiasm of reservists, and the actual lifting of the burden of work on already stretched comrades in the PDF, they are naturally appreciative. We love the job. We love doing it for the sake of the job as well. Here is the thing: we are not doing it for the sake of making money or getting paid. There is no pension, there is no gratuity, there is nothing like this that we get at the end of it, but not being paid is the problem. Not being paid is the hygiene factor. That is the thing. You cannot go home and justify to your family "Well, I am after using half a tank of petrol, or diesel, to get there, I am loading up the washing machine with a dirty uniform after being out on the ground for 48 hours or whatever, and I get nothing for it". That is the bit that stings.

To the Senator's point, absolutely there is no issue at all and there is great mutual respect. I am happy to say that. They recognise that we are a very valuable part of the unit on that level.