Dáil debates

Wednesday, 18 February 2015

Other Questions

Defence Forces Retirement Scheme

10:40 am

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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10. To ask the Minister for Defence the progress made in resolving issues arising from members of the Defence Forces who are due to retire, having completed their requisite number of years service but who are interested in continuing their service; if he has concluded his discussions in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6872/15]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I answered a related Priority Question earlier and said we had made significant progress on this issue. Since 12 or 15 February, we have the result of third party arbitration on a final recommendation to the Government on how to proceed. I cannot publish the arbitration report until it has been considered fully by my Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in respect of any cost consequence of the recommendations. As soon as this has been done, we will make the recommendations known and decisions on the back of them. There are many Defence Forces personnel who have been awaiting the outcome of this process for some time. They can now be reassured that there will be a final decision probably in the next two to three weeks. It is not going to be an outcome with which everyone will be happy, but it is a compromise that has resulted from the conciliation process and, subsequently, a third party arbitration process. I hope PDFORRA will accept the final outcome. We will certainly use the arbitration process as the basis for a final agreement that can bring clarity for everybody waiting for a result.

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister for his reply. In fact, I was present when he replied to my colleague, Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl, and, like him, I welcome what the Minister has hinted at. I hope the final resolution will go some way towards addressing the concerns expressed by several Members and PDFORRA, while keeping in mind the unique circumstances now prevailing which were not really applicable in the past. I thank the Minister for his attention to the detail.

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy has raised the matter with me a number of times and I am very conscious of the fact that he represents a constituency that has a very strong Defence Forces interest. This has been one of the issues that has been ongoing for some time. We are very close to a conclusion and I hope people will be able to accept the final outcome when we publish it in a few weeks.

Written Answers follow Adjournment.