Marc MacSharry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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1732. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the outcome of the review of upper service limits applying to Army personnel who enlisted post 1994; the criteria for continuance in service from 21 years onwards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1582/17]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware military life places unique physical and psychological demands on individuals and it is necessary that its members be physically and mentally prepared to meet the challenges of all military operations and to undertake their duties on deployment overseas. To this end, it is vital the age and health profile of personnel be such as to ensure that operational capability and effectiveness are not compromised in any way. A claim was received from Permanent Defence Force Other Ranks Representative Association (PDFORRA), for a further review of the terms of service applying to personnel enlisting in the Permanent Defence Force after 1 January 1994, as the first effects of this agreement, whereby Privates and Corporals may not serve beyond 21 years, would be felt by the Permanent Defence Force members in those ranks in 2015.

As it was not possible to reach full agreement in this matter, an adjudication hearing took place on 30 January 2015. The findings of the Adjudicator’s report were noted and the report was laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas on 4 March 2015.

Officials in my Department are currently analysing issues arising in relation to the implementation of the findings of the Adjudicators report and recommending to me any necessary legislative changes in respect of the terms of service for Enlisted Personnel. Once an overall approach and policy position in this regard has been established, a Sub-Committee of Council, under the Conciliation and Arbitration Scheme, will be set up in order to agree the detailed way forward with the Representative Association, PDFORRA.