John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister. Along with the difficulties regarding recruitment, there is a dysfunctional cycle of turnover in the Defence Forces. I think that is having an effect on the operational effectiveness of the Defence Forces. The latest figures, of which I know the Minister is well aware, indicate that we are below strength to the tune of 1,134 members in the Defence Forces across the three areas of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service. Then we have all the cultural issues that need to be resolved. A process needs to be put in place to ensure the Women of Honour group, and women generally within the Defence Forces, feel they have a role and feel comfortable within the Defence Forces.

We have a programme and a plan in the commission report that was laid before the Government. For the last two years, I have been pushing the Minister on the issue of Irish Congress of Trade Unions, ICTU, affiliation. Key to addressing all the issues and challenges of pay and recruitment and retention issues is the right to affiliate with ICTU. The Minister's Cabinet colleague, the Minister for Finance, Deputy Donohoe, sat down with representative bodies regarding the upcoming pay sector talks. The one voice that was not at the table yesterday was that of the representative bodies from the Defence Forces. Can the Minister outline clearly when he will allow representative bodies to affiliate with ICTU?

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