Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 March 2024
48. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will report on the implementation of the Working Time Directive in the Defence Forces; and the timeframe in which he intends it be operationalised within the Defence Forces. [13156/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI 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.
