Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Late last year, we learned how a shortage of officers in the Defence Forces resulted in bomb disposal experts and marine engineers having to work 70 hours and 65 hours a week, respectively, without any overtime, and a survey carried out by RACO highlighted the Government's total disregard for implementing the directive, which would cap their working week at 48 hours. Germany, Britain and Sweden have implemented this directive and the Government has done likewise for the Garda. Despite losing a landmark case last year - I understand further cases will proceed in the High Court this year - there has not been any material action on this.

A RACO survey showed officers guarding Portlaoise Prison were doing 65 hours a week, those on guard duties at Shannon Airport were doing 53 hours a week, bomb disposal experts, as I have said, were doing up to 70 hours a week, and a Naval Service officer of the watch was doing 63 hours a week. Is it the case that it was only after PDFORRA assisted one of its members with a court action that the Department agreed to discussions on this matter? The Defence Forces deserve better. How many meetings have been held with the representative organisations about implementing this directive?

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