Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 January 2024
144. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the current timeframe for the implementation of the Working Time Directive within the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2217/24]
View answerI wish to assure the Deputy that I remain fully committed to ensuring that the provisions of the Working Time Directive are applied, where appropriate, to members of the Defence Forces. Action 28, of the Strategic Framework, published on 26 September last, stipulated that the civil-military management policy position on the implementation of the Working Time Directive within the Defence Forces would be finalised by the end of December 2023.
That management position was submitted to me before the end of last year and I am currently examining the paper in full.
As the Deputy will appreciate, I do not intend, at this point, to share the details of the final management position. As Minister for Defence, I will ultimately be making a determination on that position in due course.
However, as the Deputy will also be aware, the responsibility for developing the legislative framework to remove the blanket exemption for the Defence Forces in the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997, lies with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE). Upon my determination on the matter, my officials will thereafter commence formal engagement with the Department.
It will be matter for the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment to identify the appropriate legislative mechanism and this will of course, influence the timelines. My officials will be liaising with that Department in that regard.
