Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Anti-Austerity Alliance)
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630. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of days leave that have been surrendered to the State on foot of paragraph of 16 Defence Force Regulation A11, which limits an annual carry over to 19 days regardless of whether members of the Defence Forces can actually avail of their leave entitlement due to tours of duty, leave cancellation and post tour rest and recuperation; if he will have the regulations altered to ensure members of the Defence Forces can avail of their full leave entitlements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2610/17]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Unfortunately it has not proved possible to compile the information requested regarding the number of annual leave days lost on foot of paragraph 16 of Defence Force Regulations A.11 in the time available. My officials are working with the military authorities to obtain the information and I will forward it to the Deputy as soon as it is available. Defence Force Regulations A.11 which governs the granting of leave, other than sick leave, in the Permanent Defence Force, provides that leave is an entitlement, the granting of which is a privilege and that unless otherwise provided for within the regulation, all leave other than statutory leave is subject to the exigencies of the service. Paragraph 16 of this regulation provides for the carry-forward of annual leave, not granted or availed of in the leave year concerned and provides that officers may be allowed to carry forward a maximum of 24 days, non-commissioned officers and privates in the Army and Air Corps, a maximum of 19 days and non-commissioned officers and ordinary or able seamen of the Naval Service, a maximum of 24 days.

My Department received a claim under the Conciliation and Arbitration scheme from the Permanent Defence Forces Representative Association (PDFORRA) representing enlisted members of the Permanent Defence Force, to remove the provisions limiting the carry forward of annual leave of 19 days for their members. Following consideration, my officials were not in a position to accede to their claim on the basis of the case made.

I have been advised by my officials that legal proceedings have been commenced in relation to this matter and as it is currently before the courts, it would not be appropriate for me to comment further.