Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The Minister is relatively new to his Department; however, if he had been sitting here for defence questions regularly, he would have noted the question under discussion has been recurring for a long period. Retention and recruitment probably comprise the most fundamental issue facing the Minister. It is a matter of having a proper cohort of people, set out in our plans, to ensure the defence of the country is maintained.

One of the concerns of all our Defence Forces personnel is the working time directive. The legislation will not be that of the Minister for Defence; it will be a matter for the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. Is that legislation being advanced in parallel with the ongoing negotiations? I, like others, would want to be very clear. If what emerges has so many exemptions that they really gut the implementation of the directive for Defence Forces personnel, there will be considerable disappointment, with consequences for recruitment and the maintenance of staff.

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