Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)

A commitment was given in the action plan under the pay agreement and modernisation agenda for the Defence Forces last June that this review group would be established by the end of September. Why has it not been established? It was expected to report by the end of 2007. As far as I am aware, the only outstanding requirement is for the Minister to appoint an external expert to chair the review group, as its other elements are ready and waiting. Why has it not yet been appointed? Realistically, does the Minister believe such a review can be carried out by the end of the year and will the group report before then? I have read some of his replies to questions tabled in the House, in which he gave commitments to that effect, as were made in the 2004 review of the White Paper.

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