Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I did not hear Commandant Berry's comment but I understand the concerns of the Defence Forces because I know their members have contacted many Deputies to outline their concerns.

The independent Public Service Pay Commission was established in 2016 to provide Government with independent advice on public service pay. On the instructions of the Minister of State, Deputy Kehoe, issues of recruitment and retention in the defence sector were brought to the attention of the commission. As a direct result of that initiative, the Government tasked the commission to undertake a comprehensive examination and analysis of the underlying difficulties in recruitment and retention in the defence sector. There have been various reports in the media of what the commission will recommend but those are speculation. The Government has not received the report from the commission as yet and I cannot comment on rumours or hearsay. When the commission's report is brought to Government in the coming weeks it will be given due consideration. As I said, we are now in a better position. The recovery in the economy has provided the fiscal resources to provide a fair and sustainable recovery in the public service pay scale.

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