John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the fact there has been some movement on this. Along with the representative bodies, I have been calling for and demanding this because it is a key aspect of addressing the haemorrhaging of members from the Defence Forces and ensuring it will be an attractive career for members of the community to want to join. I contend that the Minister has deliberately excluded those representative bodies up to this point, which has led to the current circumstances we face.

I welcome the fact there has been some movement on it and I hope the correct decision will be taken, but there is another issue on which we need movement, namely, the working time directive. That, too, has been a key issue in making the Defence Forces an attractive career which people will want to remain in but also to join. The Minister might update us on what will be done to address the issue relating to the working time directive. Has the Attorney General given any advice in that regard? It is a key element in addressing the haemorrhaging of members.

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