As stated in the programme for Government, we are very proud of the Defence Forces and the patriotism and professionalism the Army, the Naval Service and the Air Corps demonstrate, both at home and abroad. While the increased investment in key military infrastructure is necessary, there is also a need to address pay and allowances for members of the Defence Forces. The Public Service Pay Commission process must come to a conclusion sooner rather than later. It must recognise the valuable role played by the Defence Forces. Some specific military allowances must be addressed to ensure more appropriate take-home pay for troops.

I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. A large number of Defence Forces personnel live in County Kildare. The Government is working on the issue. We have asked the Public Service Pay Commission to examine the allowances paid to Defence Forces personnel, specifically to see if there are targeted measures we could apply to the Defence Forces that would improve pay and conditions but would not have a knock-on effect across the board and that would thus be affordable. When I spoke to the chairman of the commission a few weeks ago, he said he should be able to have a report for the Government by the middle of May. We will act swiftly on it. In the meantime, members of the Defence Forces are benefiting from the pay restoration occurring generally across the public service.