Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have to stay within the confines of public pay and the extended Lansdowne Road agreement. I would love to be able to take out the public pay cheque book and start giving people pay increases across the board. However, I do not have the power to do that. I have to work with the Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform when he sets out public pay for all sectors within the public service.

I understand that the Deputy has her own frustrations, as do I. I was honest with members of the Defence Forces when I addressed their conference. I have fought and will continue to fight for them. That is why I was able to secure an extra increase of €5,000 for new trained regular members of the Defence Forces.

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