Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The health and safety of members of the Defence Forces is a priority for me and the military authorities. Many of the activities of the Defence Forces comply with the provisions of the working time directive. As the Deputy will appreciate, implementation of the directive will amount to a fundamental change in working conditions that have been in place for many years. The implementation of the working time directive in the Defence Forces is a complex arrangement that requires considerable thought to ensure that, on the one hand, employers' rights are recognised and, on the other hand, the Defence Forces continue to play the varied roles assigned by Government. Department officials are engaging with military management and are working and engaging with the Defence Forces' representative associations through the conciliation and arbitration process. I do not accept that members are doing three 24 hour duties per week. Members are tasked with doing 24 hour duties. That is the nature of the Defence Forces' organisation, and when members join up, they accept they have to do 24 hour duties. I do not accept that members are doing three 24 hour duties per week.

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