Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)

I assure Deputy Deenihan and the House that the delays from the original date mentioned by the Deputy in regard to the employment control framework have arisen because of the additional work required. I can assure him absolutely there is no foot dragging on the part of the Department or the military authorities. It is a very important exercise and one which must be dealt with subsequently with the Department of Finance.

I agree strongly with the point made by Deputy Deenihan in regard to the progress made by the Department of Defence. It is incumbent on all of us who have a role to ensure the Department does not suffer on foot of that when across the board cuts are made. Sub-departments are in a better position to absorb them because they have not been to the fore in addressing this situation to the extent mentioned by Deputy Deenihan.

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