Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I have met the representative associations about this issue. They know my commitment to it. As part of the conciliation and arbitration scheme, we established a sub-committee and the representative associations have had an input through that committee. As part of that, compensatory rest is now provided for certain duties in line with the provisions of the directive. There is no question, but that I have given this my focus. As a result, the dialogue with representative associations, through the sub-committee on the proposed management system, has gained momentum this year. The finalisation of a policy position, including with regard to activities deemed outside the scope of the directive, is imminent. We are on track. There is no slippage in the timelines that I set.

I am determined to get this done. We are in touch with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, which is responsible for bringing forward the appropriate legislative amendments. We are told by the military leadership that a high percentage of activities are already compliant with the directive. This is not an issue of funding per se. We will deal with that, but the fundamental issue is getting it organised and agreed.

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