Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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20. To ask the Minister for Defence the extent to which resolution has been found to issues relating to those required to retire from the Defence Forces on foot of specified years of service but who are willing to remain on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34568/14]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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A claim has been received from PDFORRA in relation to this matter and it is being dealt with under the Conciliation and Arbitration Scheme for members of the Permanent Defence Force. Discussions have been taking place with the Representative Association, with regards to their claim, under a special Subcommittee of Conciliation Council. As discussions under the Scheme are confidential to the parties involved, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on the matter at this time, other than to emphasise that in dealing with this issue the manpower and operational needs of the Defence Forces must be the primary consideration.

The need for continuing recruitment to the Defence Forces of young and fit men and women so that the Defence Forces can discharge all the roles assigned to them by Government, both at home and overseas is an issue of which I need to be cognisant. It was for this very reason that this policy was introduced in the first place.

I would not like to pre-empt or second guess the outcome of current discussions at Conciliation Council and it would not be appropriate for me to comment publicly on the matter at this time.