Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)

I thank the Deputy. As he will be aware, in January of this year the blanket exemption from the Organisation of Working Time Act for Defence Forces personnel was removed and most Defence Forces personnel now enjoy the protections of the Act. Due to their specific nature, a number of activities are exempted from the provisions of Act and compensatory rest periods and other protections were agreed for personnel undertaking these activities. Those protections for exempted activities formed what the Deputy refers to as strand 2 and are encompassed in a letter to the representative associations.

A number of strand 2 measures have already been implemented, including the provision of one return commercial home reunion flight to Ireland in respect of an operational tour of duty of six months, where the security assessment by the military authorities determines the individual cannot avail of leave in-theatre.

In addition, enhanced Wi-Fi services have been put in place in United Nations post, UNP, 2-45, which is used by UNIFIL. I am further advised that military management is continuing to progress the remaining protections set out in the strand 2 communication. I have directed that this body of work be concluded without delay. Those measures requiring additional funding beyond existing resources are to be addressed in line with the normal Estimates process.

Most people understand this and want our Defence Forces to be able to avail of the working time directive. Most people will also understand that there are times when those in the Defence Forces cannot avail of elements of that directive. That issue can arise when overseas, for example. What compensatory measures can we put in place? The flight home is one example. That is now in place. The upgraded Wi-Fi in the UNIFIL premises is another example. I have directed that military management now conclude the advancement of the remaining measures in strand 2 as quickly as possible.

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