Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I commend the Minister and the Minister for Defence on their extension of the seagoing credit for Naval Service personnel, which is covered in sections 10 and 11. As somebody who comes from the constituency Cork South-Central, which includes Ringaskiddy, the Naval Service base and Haulbowline at the core of its operations, I commend the extending of this tax credit and congratulate the Minister in that regard. It is important that we have in these Houses an honest conversation about our Defence Forces, including the Naval Service, and the Minister for Defence has been very proactive in that matter. Notwithstanding the publication of the strategy, this is an important recognition of, and reward for, those able seamen who go out to sea. We are extending the commitment and it is important we continue to support our Defence Forces, including our Naval Service.

Last week, the Representative Association of Commissioned Officers, RACO, AGM was held. Worrying remarks have come from the Naval Service about its strength. Having spoken to the likes of Mark Keane, I know that the Permanent Defence Force Other Ranks Representative Association, PDFORRA, does great work advocating on behalf of the men and women of the Defence Forces. There are issues relating to the complicated nature of the payments, which was referenced in the strategy, but this provision is a positive development in the ongoing extension of the credit. I thank the Minister for that.