Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I listed some of the issues in the Public Service Pay Commission. We have the pilot service commitment scheme, which is a response to one of the commission's recommendations. There is the review of technical pay. Measures in non-pay areas include hot-desking, family-friendly overseas appointments, measures for couples, career breaks, a shorter working year, coaching and mentoring, promotions, which are ongoing, overseas service, provision of professional military education, PME, for trainee technicians, external education and training, and overseas training. There is a range of opportunities for people who join Defence Forces.

I am the first to recognise that the Defence Forces is a very unique organisation. The Deputy is fully aware that the Public Service Pay Commission could not look at core pay. If it had recommended an increase in core pay, the Deputy would be the first man in this House jumping up and down looking for more money for everybody else.

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