Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)

As the Deputy is aware, the Taoiseach announced yesterday a series of measures taken as part of the implementation of the framework for stabilisation, social solidarity and economic renewal. One measure announced was on the method of achieving savings of €1.4 billion on the public service pay bill. The bulk of the proposed savings will be achieved through a new pension-related payment to be made by public servants. This will apply to members of the Defence Forces. I reflect the Taoiseach's view, expressed yesterday, that this is regrettable. However, it is clear that strong action is needed to address the economic crisis that now confronts us.

The levy will apply across the public service and is not specific to the Defence Forces. The Government appreciates the tremendous work that has been done and is being done by the Defence Forces at home and in many troubled areas of the world and the sacrifices that members and their families make in the cause of international peace.

The development and modernisation of the Defence Forces in the past decade comprise one of the big success stories of public sector modernisation. The process of modernisation created great challenges and demands for the Defence Forces. The men and women of the Defence Forces have, over the years, risen admirably to those challenges. They are now being asked, along with other public servants, to raise to the current challenge and I have no doubt they will do so with the same sense of public service they have displayed in the past.

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