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

The Deputy said it himself at the outset and I think we are seeing trends in the gap between inductions and people retiring narrowing. The first objective is to stabilise that and get to a net increase figure. It is going to take some time before we get back to establishment level, never mind the target of the Commission on the Defence Forces. The service limits for privates, corporals and sergeants have been extended on an interim basis to the end of this year, so we will need a decision shortly on creating a sustained picture and narrative for those currently in the Defence Forces.

We have made very good progress on the organisation of working time directive and a submission has come to me on it. I expect to make decisions to activate that, in the sense of beginning the process of including the Defence Forces under the directive, which has been an objective of mine. My officials have worked hard with the Defence Forces, military management and the representative associations and a considerable degree of agreement has been reached. There is not total agreement on every issue, but progress has certainly been made in this area.

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