Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The starting position that must be understood is there was an exception to the normal terms and conditions in 2013 in an effort to deal with the recruitment and retention issues at that time, which were clearly an issue. There was not deemed to be the same difficulty or pressure point in 2017 and 2018 when the terms and conditions were essentially returned to normal. During that process, there was an ongoing consultation and discussion with the representative body. That is my understanding. I accept I have not been involved in the detailed discussions here but this is the briefing I have from my Department. It is not unusual for the terms and conditions around recruitment campaigns and so on to be tailored, essentially, in order to respond to the pressures that are there. Thus if there is a need to look at this again in terms of retaining medical staff in the Defence Forces then of course we will have to do that.

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