Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On the recognition issue, if the Deputy read the published report on the new CA scheme, she might be able to educate herself around rights. She spoke about pay. Members of the Defence Forces, like all members of the public service, have received pay increases under the Lansdowne Road agreement and the public service stability programme. There is no use the Deputy nodding her head when I am only telling her the facts. Further pay increases took effect on 1 January and 1 October this year and by 2020 all those on a salary in excess of €70,000 will have their pay fully restored to pre-FEMPI levels. In parallel, I increased salaries to address the disparity between pre and post-2013 entrants. We are entering into negotiations on the adjudications in the public service stability programme. In addition, a joint submission was made to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for consideration in respect of the Public Service Pay Commission. I hope to see the commission's report in the first or second quarter of 2019 but I want to allow it the time and space to do its work. It has reported on the health sector and is already meeting members of the Defence Forces regarding the submission we have made.

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