Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Barry would love everyone to strike; all he wants is anarchy in here and outside here. He would have a smile on his face every day if that was to happen.

As I said, the conclusions arising from the report of the European Committee of Social Rights raise complex questions for the Defence Forces from a legal, operational and management perspective. While the findings of the report are non-binding, the Government is fully aware of the context to take action to address some of the concerns of the Permanent Defence Force representative associations.

As I advised in my earlier reply, the Permanent Defence Force representative associations were afforded equal standing with other public service trade unions and representative associations at the 2017 public service stability negotiations. I have also stated that I have commissioned a full review of the conciliation and arbitration scheme. I am on the record of this House as saying that I want a full report back within six months. I expect this to be back by no later than the end of June or early July.

I note in his first contribution that Deputy Barry talked about the high number of Defence Forces members who receive family income supplement. Maybe the Deputy does not want to hear the truth and maybe he just does not listen, but there are 175 persons in receipt of family income supplement as of today. If the Deputy wants to check that out, that is a reply I received directly from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection. I know that I repeat that figure every time the Deputy raises that issue in this House but maybe he just does not want to remember it. I will repeat it for him again in case he did not hear it. Some 175 members of the Irish Defence Forces are in receipt of family income supplement.

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