Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity) | Oireachtas source

As regards my source for the six ships, the Minister of State can read between the lines when I say that I talk to the ranks. On the issue of union rights for members of our Defence Forces, the Minister of State says that a court ruling is expected soon. I believe 12 February is the date in that regard. When the Defence Forces organisations win their case, as I am confident they will, are they going to have to wait for two years, as the Garda organisations had to do, before we get the merest hint of legislation? As the Minister of State knows, such are the dire conditions being endured by members of our Defence Forces, about which their organisations are prevented from fully agitating, that every week of resistance on the Government's side is adding to the real hardship of thousands of personnel and their families.

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