Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 69: To ask the Minister for Defence if his attention has been drawn to the impact of the pension levy and pay cuts on the pay of members of the Defence Forces as against deduction made from the non public sector works pay (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30145/10]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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The pension-related deduction (commonly known as the pension levy) was provided for in the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2009. The reductions in public service pay effective from 1 January 2010 were provided for in the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Act 2009. Each of these Acts applies exclusively to public servants (with some exceptions in each case) and the scope of the application of the Acts does not extend outside the public service. The Acts apply to members of the Permanent Defence Force on the same basis as to other public servants generally.

The Government appreciates that the two measures in question have a significant impact on the take–home pay of public servants. These measures were, however, essential elements of the Government's strategy to consolidate the public finances and to address the overall economic situation.