Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will speak as briefly as I can but I must address the issues put to me. I do not agree that the independent Public Service Pay Commission is taking too long. It only sat in the last few months. It has prioritised the health sector and the Defence Forces following recommendations that I made to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.

The Department of Defence does not set the pay grades. It is a matter for the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform which deals with all payments to all public servants. It is not a matter for the Department of Defence. I will defend the public servants in the Department of Defence who do an outstanding and a fabulous job. They come in for considerable criticism and I do not accept it. If criticism came their way and I thought that they deserved it, I would say so, but it is not the case. I will defend them. From senior management down, they advocate for the Defence Forces. It is a matter for the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, under whose Department the Public Service Pay Commission operates. Any submissions we make, we make to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform which forwards it to the pay commission. We have sent an evidence-based submission to the pay commission.

We are in a process of restoring the pay cuts introduced across the public service during the economic downturn. At a parade at Cathal Brugha Barracks this morning, I acknowledged the challenges the Defence Forces face.

We have a stronger economy than before. I will work with the Department and senior management in the Defence Forces to bring those challenges to the Public Service Pay Commission. The process is under way. Submissions have been made. The commission is now engaging with individual serving members. I look forward to the outcome of the commission's work which will provide for the basis of addressing the issues within the Defence Forces.

I will say one thing-----