Cathal Berry (Kildare South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

When the Tánaiste doubled the offshore allowances on 1 January last, it had a very positive effect on the Naval Service. I am encouraged that there is a claim before the conciliation council relating to the EU battle group. If the Tánaiste could take a personal interest in that claim, it would be very much appreciated.

There is one other anomaly I want to highlighted, which he mentioned. These allowances are payable up to the rank of captain only, which is unusual because a couple of commandants are to be deployed as well and they will not be entitled to any additional pay whatsoever. That is an anomaly. It is probably an archaic regulation from decades ago. If the Tánaiste could take a personal interest in modernising that, it would be hugely appreciated as well.

As he will be aware, Defence Force personnel cannot go on strike, and rightly so. They have reduced industrial relations status and that is why a personal intervention from the Cabinet table at government level is really important. I would be grateful for the Tánaiste's intervention in this regard.

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