Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Nobody is going to argue against the proposition that the Defence Forces should be apolitical, should be perceived to be apolitical and should not be involved in any political controversy. That is a given. However, we are not still in 1954. In other developed countries, such as the Netherlands and others, there is a more participative discussion with defence forces personnel as workers on matters such as the application of the working time directive, which was not to apply to members of defence forces because they are not normal workers. We need to modernise our thinking on those sorts of things.

The first time I intervened on this set of amendments was in respect of amendments Nos. 2 to 5, inclusive, which deal with individuals. We have not discussed amendments Nos. 13 to 18, inclusive, because time is limited. Those amendments relate to the capacity of the association itself to deal with matters of Government policy. I have concerns that the association cannot deal with matters of Government policy even where it affects the association and its members.

The Tánaiste speaks about remuneration in his amendment. There are other things that affect its members besides remuneration. The Tánaiste is not going to press his amendment in any event.

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