Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)

I tabled this question because several people have come to me with concerns about how people are medically discharged. I refer to one example. Recently, I met a man who has 11 years of service in the Naval Service. He was diagnosed with Crohn's disease in June 2009. In that year he had 140 days of sick leave which resulted in his medical grade being reclassified. The report stated that he had a chronic medical condition requiring regular medical supervision and that he was unfit for seagoing duties. In September 2010 his medical grade was again reclassified to state that he was below standard for a contract extension. Nevertheless, since 1 January 2010 up to last week he has only been sick for two days in the past 19 months. He is not on any medicine and he has not seen a doctor or anything for the past 19 months but he cannot get an extension to his contract. In February 2011 the appeal board turned down his request for an extension. It confirmed his medical grade as being unfit for seagoing duties. He is still active in the Naval Service. His contract is up at the end of October and he is now facing a situation whereby he must leave the Naval Service although be believes his medically fit.

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