Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is an anniversary that should be commemorated and celebrated. Senators McFadden, Leyden, Craughwell and Burke raised the matter of the Defence Forces in the context of comments this morning from retired Commandant Cathal Berry. All of us agree with the need for the members of the Defence Forces to be treated fairly and that is why the Government set up the Public Service Pay Commission, and public servants under the national public service agreement are receiving pay restoration. It is important the public sector stability agreement is recognised as bringing pay increases from 6.2% to 7.4%, and we are restoring financial emergency measures in the public interest cuts for those earning under €70,000. An independent pay commission is examining the pay and conditions of the Defence Forces and the report will be published in the next few weeks.