Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The issue of awarding medals to the men of “A” Company, 35th Infantry Battalion has been addressed on a number of occasions over the years. A review conducted in 2004 by military officers, the purpose of which was a broad examination of the Jadotville case, concluded with a recommendation that the events of Jadotville and the contribution of the 35th Battalion be given recognition. In addition to the above, an Independent Review Group (IRG) was established in 2021. The IRG report, which was published in July 2021, makes a number of recommendations in respect of the award of medals, honouring the role of families and the support they provided to veterans and in respect of veterans affairs. The Deputy may wish to note that, with one exception, the IRG do not recommend the award of any further medals.

In addition to the above the IRG recommended a review of the system of awarding medals to ensure its regulations and administrative instructions provide for a clear, coherent and comprehensive awards system that is overseen by an appropriate, independent, permanent Medals Award body. I can confirm the Chief of Staff has commenced this review with an anticipated completion date by end of Q2 2024.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, I recently announced that Government had approved an increase in the mandatory retirement age in the Defence Forces to 60 years, and the maximum recruitment age for all personnel to 39 years. These changes will come into effect on 29 March 2024.

The recruitment and retention challenges experienced by the Defence Forces are well documented and Government approved these increases in an effort to remove any potential obstacles to recruiting and retaining personnel. These measures are considered key enablers in stabilising numbers in the Permanent Defence Force, which remains a challenge in the current buoyant economy, notwithstanding the range of other recruitment and retention initiatives currently being implemented, and progress in relation to pay.

Furthermore, a new fast accrual pensions’ policy framework has been approved and the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform is preparing the necessary legislation which, when enacted, will allow for a further increase in the mandatory retirement age for all Permanent Defence Force ranks to 62.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to assure the Deputy of my commitment to the removal of the blanket exemption which currently applies to the Defence Forces in the Organisation of Working Time Act .

Following extensive consultations involving the PDF Representative Associations and civilian-military management, I am pleased to say that an agreed policy position was submitted to me on 20 December last. This was in line with Action 28 of the Strategic Framework, published by me last September which stipulated that a management position with regard to the Working Time Directive was to be finalised by the end of 2023.

This achievement was in no small part owing to the constructive and committed engagement by all parties and I wish to express my gratitude to my officials, military management and the Representative Associations for their tireless efforts to bring us to this point.

The military authorities have advised that a high percentage of the normal everyday work of the Defence Forces is already in compliance with the Working Time Directive, however the final management position, which I approved on 2 February last, also provides for the exemption of certain military activities, due to their specific nature.

I should add that the final management position, was duly informed by recent European Case Law on these matters.

I also met earlier this month with the Representative Associations to acknowledge their constructive engagement in the process and to outline the final management position.

The next step in the process is to progress the necessary legislative amendments. In this regard, my officials will shortly commence formal engagements with the the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE) who have responsibility for bringing forward the appropriate legislative framework for removing the blanket exemption from the Organisation of Working Time Act. To this end, I will be writing to my colleague and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Mr. Simon Coveney, TD.

I wish to underline the importance of this significant piece of work for each member of the Defence Forces. The implementation of the Working Time Directive across the Defence Forces is rightly seen as an important retention measure and will ensure that health and safety protections as prescribed in the Directive, are afforded to serving personnel.

Finally, I am also pleased to say that a pilot Time and Attendance system across a number of areas within the Defence Forces has recently concluded and a lessons learned analysis is underway by the military authorities. Separately, work has commenced on the procurement of a long-term electronic solution. As the Deputy will agree, a robust time and attendance system to record the daily working hours of every member of the Defence Forces will be a critical enabler in taking forward the implementation of the Directive.