Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The Minister was very clear in the other House when he said:

I gave a commitment we would do that before the end of the year. We can do that well in advance of the end of the year - within the next few weeks - to be able to give people certainty quite a long way out before the issue comes to a head ...

That was his commitment which I take it he is giving again. My concern is we are heading into a budget. I have some experience in these matters. If there are financial implications to this, will the agreement of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform be required in order for the Minister to give a definitive position by the end of this year? Will he give the House the commitment he will give absolute clarity to whatever number of personnel is involved, be it short of 200 or up to 700, so they and their families can plan their lives with certainty well in advance of the end of next year?

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