Colm Keaveney (Galway East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I do not suggest that we should introduce a bogus fitness programme so people can remain within the service. If somebody is fit he or she should be allowed progress beyond the current arrangement of 21 years and retain employment. There is no suggestion that we are asking for something inappropriate to be introduced. All we are asking is for common sense to be considered. There is no doubt that the Minister could intervene immediately because there is a difficulty with respect to how he is managing the existing resources. There is no promotion from corporal to sergeant, but the Minister is promoting and accelerating a natural wastage of critical skills in areas which will never be built up by new intake. Significant resources are being lost with respect to the expertise which has been built over many years in the speciality. Will the Minister report to the Dáil on when he expects the review to be concluded and when he can re-engage with PDFORRA to make some kind of announcement on the flexibilities that we both consider fair and just?

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