Cathal Berry (Kildare South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Tánaiste for that response.

I acknowledge and welcome the progress that has occurred over the past four years from a pay point of view in the lifetime of this Dáil, particularly from a basic pay perspective and also from the offshore allowances for the Naval Service perspective.

On the EU battle group, when I compare the positive trends in previous years for basic pay and the offshore allowances with the trend in EU battle groups, I feel we can do a bit better. I welcome the principle of a standby allowance and the principle of additional allowances paid if our troops are deployed operationally or on exercise to the Continent but the quantum needs to be looked at. If they go abroad, they get paid €13 extra a day before tax, which is the equivalent of a Big Mac meal. They should not be out of pocket deploying to the Continent. I would be grateful if the Minister might take a personal interest in the quantums here and see could they be adjusted upwards.

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