Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)

We need to draw a distinction between the provision in the budgetary process for the overall allocation to the Defence Forces and how that will play out with individual members serving, wherever they might be. One representative association in the Defence Forces has signed up to the Croke Park agreement and the other has not. A complicated process is under way and it would be inappropriate to discuss that or to undermine it. I had a very positive meeting yesterday with RACO and PDFORRA and discussed all the matters of concern to them. In that regard, there are two messages. First, there is a welcome for the fact that a UN deployment is under way for 2011. Second, other issues that arise will be discussed within the processes. One group is within the process and the other currently remains outside.

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