Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will make sure that nobody is victimised, nor should they be victimised, if they approach either association because they have fallen on hard times. I find it unbelievable to think that people would be victimised in such a way. The Deputy spoke about the 24-hour duty allowance. I met the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Donohoe, two weeks ago to discuss this matter. The officials from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and my own officials will have further negotiations on this. The rest of the allowances are covered under the public service stability agreement to 2021. I understand that one of the biggest concerns of the associations and members of the Defence Forces is the issue of the 24-hour allowance and that is one of the reasons I approached the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Donohoe, and asked him for a meeting. I understand the frustrations of members of the Defence Forces on this specific issue.

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