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

I will follow up on the gratuity issue. That has not come on to my radar and more is the pity, because we could have got it done but I will pursue that. Civil servants can be granted special leave with pay if they attend for the full period of the course of training. That could be seven days or three working days for a course of annual training lasting 14 days. They could be given special leave of seven working days.

At the launch in July, I met an interesting group of people who came from private industry and had important skill sets in technology, life sciences and communications. One could easily see the ready application of those skill sets to the benefit of our Defence Forces and the country, be they in aid to civilian power scenarios or any potential scenario. One member from the Reserve Defence Force was serving overseas. There is a need for cultural change in our society to encourage this type of activity and engagement.

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