Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North-West, Fianna Fail)
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13. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if as part of the implementation of the working time directive in the Defence Forces, he will provide a timeline for the delivery of the welfare measures under strand 2; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60386/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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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.

Tom Brabazon (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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Among the concerns of the representative associations is that, while this has been negotiated and agreed at the top level, there has been no audit of the provision of services that are currently lacking and no new bespoke budget has been created to start delivering these provisions or services. Any improvements that are being delivered seem to be somewhat haphazard or delivered by local engagement. The representative associations do not seem to be aware of any budget, plan or direction being provided despite having asked. Will the Tánaiste address those concerns?

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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There has been extensive consultation with civil and military management and with the Defence Forces representative associations with regard to implementing the working time directive for members of the Defence Forces and the associated proposals for a legislative framework. We have a conciliation and arbitration subcommittee on the working time directive. This is a matter for formal consultation with the representative bodies. I thank PDFORRA and RACO for their constructive and proactive engagement. My Department and I are absolutely willing to engage with the representative associations on any outstanding matters around implementation through this subcommittee. I highlight that operationalisation is a matter for military management, which I know will take this seriously. I understand that a meeting of the working group subcommittee is due to be held shortly. On foot of the Deputy's question, I will suggest that this be scheduled as quickly as possible and that this subcommittee becomes the forum through which the outstanding matters can be progressed with the representative bodies.

Tom Brabazon (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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The Tánaiste mentioned Wi-Fi as one of the things being looked at but there are other deliverables, including additional or increased bottled water and rations for overseas locations and improvements to laundry and recreation facilities across Defence Forces locations at home and overseas. Perhaps something in that regard could also be looked at.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I want to see this body of work completed quickly. I am really proud of the work that was undertaken and the measures that were put in place in January that finally removed the blanket exemption from the working time directive for the Defence Forces. That is an important recruitment tool and it is an even more important retention tool. It is also an important recognition of the important work done by the Defence Forces and the need to protect our Defence Forces personnel. Obviously, there was complexity in introducing the working time directive for our Defence Forces, including the Army. As a result, alternative compensatory measures were put in place. Good faith now needs to be shown by all sides in bringing this to a conclusion as quickly as possible. I will certainly use my own leadership and interest to get us to that point.

David Maxwell (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The next question is a grouped question and we will not have time for it so we will move on to questions to the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment.