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

First, my commitment has been clear and consistent on this and there is no row-back today. I have said to Defence Forces personnel, who I have spoken to in person in regard to some who are impacted by this, and also to PDFORRA, that I would like to make a decision on this to provide clarity for everybody before the end of the year. I am not going to go into the conversations between my Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, and I do not think the Deputy would expect me to do so. We have made it clear that we would like certainty on this issue before the end of this year so people would be given at least 12 months’ notice before the end of next year. That is a reasonable position.

I know of and have read many contributions on social media trying to push me for a decision on this issue. I would like to make the decision as soon as we can but my Department is not the only Department involved here. There is real work for the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and it is doing its job. I hope the two Departments, working together, can bring clarity on this issue in the next few weeks, as I said, before the end of the year. That is the commitment I have given to people and I want to do everything I can to follow through on that.

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