Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I do not know how the Tánaiste can say that without having the information about the hours currently being worked by the Defence Forces. Its members regularly tell me they work way beyond the hours that would be expected under the directive. I have another concern, which is not an inference from dealing with any person or Department; it is from an experience I had when I was dealing with agricultural issues. Many aspects of agriculture require another Department to bring forward primary or secondary legislation that might not be a priority for that Department and there are inevitable delays in the context of timelines. As a result, it is crucial that there be a whole-of-government approach to ensure that the legislative work which needs to be done in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment is advanced in parallel with all the other work. Is the Tánaiste aware that drafting has commenced and that there will not be any delays on that front, when - we hope it will be soon - we get to the point where we can advance this further?

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