141. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Defence if her Department will now commit to paying members of the Defence Forces premiums for public holidays and overtime following the decision by the European Committee of Social Rights, which said both the prohibition on overtime across the Defence Forces and the lack of adequate provision for payment of public holiday premiums were breaches of the Social Charter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12525/26]

Sentiment score: 0.27

The Minister's response sounds positive enough in its outlook. However, when this decision was made, the statement released by the Department of Defence stated: Ireland is a signatory to the European Social Charter and is committed to upholding its principles. The State respects the role of the ECSR and the Minister will examine its conclusions in conjunction with EU and national obligations, while noting that the reports of the ECSR are not binding on respondent states. Those last five or six words seem like a get-out clause from making good on the recommendations of the ECSR. We have had modest increases in Defence Forces numbers, but they are nowhere near where they need to be. We know from speaking to Defence Force members and potential members that pay and overall conditions are still a barrier to recruitment and retention.

Sentiment score: 0.30

RACO and PDFORRA were reluctant to take this case, but they felt they had no alternative. Perhaps now is the time for a reset in terms of the Department's engagement with RACO and PDFORRA and how we treat these workers, both current and potential workers. There is an awful lot of work we are going to have to do in the next months and years ahead in terms of investing in our neutrality and ensuring we have a proactive and protected neutrality. It is good to see investment in radar. It is good to see investment in a number of other areas. However, all that will be for naught if we do not invest in the personnel who are going to underpin, manage and deliver all the systems that we need to protect our neutrality. The members of the Defence Forces who perform their duties on public holidays deserve these premiums and general overtime pay. This is a basic standard in the context workers' rights, and I hope the Minister will make good on the ECSR recommendation.

Sentiment score: 0.40