Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I had very constructive meetings last week with RACO and PDFORRA. I addressed the conference this morning and I totally disagree with the Deputy's assertion. While Deputy Crowe mentioned allowances, the Public Service Pay Commission report has restored the allowances to pre-Haddington Road agreement levels and the Deputy fails to acknowledge that. Any officer of the Defence Forces, having accepted the pay commission's report in full, will receive the immediate benefits. It is worth an additional €10 million annually over the position last year for enlisted personnel and officers. If PDFORRA accepts the recommendations, all its members will also receive immediate benefits. Allowances, including the weekend and 24-hour duty allowances, comprised one of the biggest issues raised with me in recent years. I wanted to ensure the allowances were restored and the independent pay commission recommended that they be restored to pre-Haddington Road agreement levels. If the representative associations vote for it, their members will feel the benefits.

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