Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)

I remind the Minister of State that his senior colleague made a commitment at the PDFORRA conference of 2006 that if PDFORRA made a case for an increase in allowances he would receive it very favourably. The understanding at the time was that an increase of 10% to 15% would be requested, but I understand that what is on offer is just 5%. The overseas allowance ranges from €74 to €80. In essence, for the lower paid this will mean an increase of €3.72 per day and for the higher paid €4 per day. Surely that is not a great incentive. They are not doing it for the money but they want their service valued.

The Government will soon be recruiting for Chad which will be a very dangerous mission. An article in today's edition of The Irish Times pointed out that this will be the most dangerous mission since the Congo. Surely these people should be properly paid and should receive the proper incentives. Will the Minister of State expand on what he has said? Will serious consideration be given to increasing the allowance to between 10% and 15%?

See this speech in context