Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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1. To ask the Minister for Defence the further developments with regard to the 21-year rule for service, for certain ranks, in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7074/15]

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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This question brings us back to an issue that affects certain ranks within the Defence Forces which has been raised here frequently in recent times. It is an issue of paramount importance to rank and file members of the Defence Forces. It relates to the 21-year contract. Having regard to what the Minister said on the issue previously, has progress been achieved in extending the contract through the arbitration and conciliation process?

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. On the last occasion we dealt with the issue at Question Time I said I hoped to be able to provide a good deal of clarity the next time we met to discuss it. I will bring the Deputy up to date on where the process is at.

While significant progress has been made in recent discussions between the Permanent Defence Force Other Ranks Representative Association, PDFORRA, and civil and military management on the issue, it has not been possible to reach full agreement. That is the stage we were at in the process the last day. As a result, the issue was referred for third party adjudication and a ruling. That adjudication hearing took place on 30 January and the report of the adjudicator was issued to all parties to the scheme on 12 February. In accordance with the scheme rules, there is a procedure to be followed in the publication of the report in that it cannot be published before presentation to Dáil Éireann. As it requires detailed consideration of the findings by me, as Minister, and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, it would be inappropriate for me to comment further on the matter at this stage. That is the strong advice I have received on the matter.

I was anxious to talk about what was included in that recommendation in my response to questions this morning, but I have been told that I cannot do this because it is a ruling that requires some study. PDFORRA is also examining it in some detail. As soon as I get agreement from the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and the Government, I will publish the report and make it available to everybody, as well as the decisions that we will have to make on the back of it.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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It appears that progress has been achieved, which is welcome.

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Yes, it has.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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If I am reading what the Minister said correctly, he has received a report on the outcome of the conciliation and arbitration process in which agreement has been reached between the parties and that it now rests with him and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to agree that the State will incur whatever costs are to be incurred. I exhort the Minister to expedite a decision in this matter. Many of the young people affected by this issue have effectively had their lives on hold for quite a period of time and are not able to plan for the future. They find themselves in these circumstances at a time when the financial pressures on them are probably greater than they will be at any stage in the future. They are carrying heavy mortgages and, in many instances, have children in education; therefore, they are feeling the pressure. The Minister appreciates the importance of bringing the matter to a conclusion. If he could he give us an indication of the timeframe about which we are talking, it would be helpful.

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Deputy for showing some understanding of the process needed in this respect. As he did not have to take that line, it is appreciated. Unfortunately, the arbitration process did not come up with a compromise or final agreement between PDFORRA and my Department, which is why we went to a third party for adjudication, to examine all of the issues involved and make a ruling and recommendation. We are examining the consequences as regards costs and the decisions to be made on the back of the report. We will certainly finalise the process within the next two to three weeks. I am anxious to bring closure to the issue which has been ongoing for a prolonged period. This has caused stress and uncertainty for members of the Defence Forces. It is also an issue the Department is anxious to bring to a conclusion.

It is important to understand the idea behind the rule. There was a reason time limits were put on contracts in the Defence Forces; it was to ensure the maintaining an age profile that was appropriate for everyone in the Defence Forces. That approach has been successful and various compromises have been made along the way. The process seeks to be fair, as well as remaining consistent with the policy on maintaining the age profile. I hope we will be able to have clarity for everybody within the next few weeks.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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The Minister has mentioned that PDFORRA is considering the adjudicator's recommendations in this matter. Has he received any indication from PDFORRA as to what is its approach to the recommendations made? Can I take it that there has been general acceptance by all parties of the recommendations? I acknowledge that in the circumstances two or three weeks is not a long time to wait, if it takes that period of time for the Government to come to what we hope will be the right conclusion. People have had to put their lives on hold and if this matter is not resolved, we will see very fit and able-bodied people, both physically and psychologically, discharged from the Defence Forces, which none of us wants to see happen.

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The adjudicator's ruling will form the basis of agreement, but I do not want to go into the detail of that matter. PDFORRA will make its own judgment on it and I will not speak for it.

We have been through an exhaustive process of many months. The system has been working, we have gone through the various arbitration and, subsequently, adjudication processes and we have the report that will be the basis of an agreement. Everyone will not get what he or she wants. While the ruling is consistent with the overall objective of using time limits in contracts, it also tries to take account of some of the concerns expressed by members of PDFORRA. As soon as I can finalise the process with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and within my Department, we will be happy to bring the issue to a conclusion.