Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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136. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans to apply the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 allowing persons to have flexible working hours; and his further plans to introduce online learning to reduce the number of persons on courses or on overseas preparation that can then be available to support flexibility and reduce duties to 12 hour shifts. [24286/18]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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The principles underlying the Working Time Directive are based on ensuring the health and safety of employees. The implications of the Working Time Directive and its implementation, in respect of the Defence Forces, have been the subject of an intensive and on-going review by my Department for some time. This is a complex matter having regard to the nature of the work of military forces, and the Working Time Directive recognises this complexity. There is also litigation pending in the High Court on the matter of the transposition of the Working Time Directive.

The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection is progressing the legislation required to provide for the application of the Working Time Directive to the Defence Forces. My Department has given full consideration to appropriate exemptions and derogations as provided for under the Directive. The Representative Associations have been invited to participate in a consultative process on the application of the Directive.

Separately, I am aware that the Defence Forces continue to review and adjust training and education approaches in order to maximise efficiency and, where possible, enhance work life balance for members of the Defence Forces.