Tom Kitt (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)

I have no doubt whatsoever about the contribution made by our peacekeepers abroad. There is no harm in reiterating time and again the tremendous work they do throughout the world in very dangerous situations. I start on that basis and totally concur with the Deputy.

In his address to the Permanent Defence Force Other Ranks Representative Association annual delegate conference in 2006 the Minister for Defence invited the association to submit a claim for an increase in overseas allowance. A claim for an increase in the allowance from PDFORRA and RACO was subsequently received and, as I said in my reply, is being dealt with under the conciliation and arbitration scheme for members of the Permanent Defence Force. I again acknowledge the work they do abroad — we all value their work. However, whether an overseas allowance is warranted is a matter to be determined through the conciliation and arbitration process, subject to the requirements of the current national wage agreement. There is a process through which this claim must be addressed. I cannot go beyond that. The discussions in the conciliation and arbitration scheme are confidential to the parties involved and it would not be appropriate for me to comment other than to acknowledge, as the Deputy has already done, the tremendous work being done by our personnel abroad.

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