Dinny McGinley
Question:8 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Defence if it is proposed to introduce a career breaks scheme for Defence Forces personnel; and if so, the conditions that would apply to such a scheme.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Defence Forces Personnel Career Breaks.
Avril Doyle
Question:12 Mrs. Doyle asked the Minister for Defence if it is proposed to introduce a career breaks scheme for Defence Forces personnel; and if so, the conditions that would apply to such a scheme.
Gay Mitchell
Question:14 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Defence if it is proposed to introduce a career breaks scheme for Defence Forces personnel; and if so, the conditions that would apply to such a scheme.
Alan M. Dukes
Question:41 Mr. Dukes asked the Minister for Defence if it is proposed to introduce a career breaks scheme for Defence Forces personnel; and if so, the conditions that would apply to such a scheme.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 8, 12, 14 and 41 together.
I propose to introduce a career breaks scheme in the Defence Forces. Negotiation on the terms of such a scheme have been entered into with the Representative Association of Commissioned Officers in the context of the conciliation and arbitration scheme. It is also proposed to open discussions on this subject with the Permanent Defence Force Other Ranks Representative Association in the near future. I am strongly in favour of career breaks. The Gleeson Commission was not in favour of that.