Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy should go back and look at the confidence and supply agreement because his party signed up to the pay commission and agreed to its terms of reference. I would ask the Deputy to look at the terms of reference. His party signed up to them under the confidence and supply agreement. It is not up to me to make recommendations. It is up to the pay commission to do that. We were asked by the pay commission to provide evidence-based data and we did so with a very comprehensive submission. I worked on that with the Department and military management in a joint submission. I am happy that we have given the kind of data required by the pay commission. I am not hiding behind anyone. I will not shirk from my responsibilities. I have stated clearly that we have challenges across the Defence Forces, and I have outlined those in the joint submission to the pay commission. I am content that we have provided evidence-based data and everything that was required.

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