Working time and Defence Forces
Patricia Ryan asked about extending working time protections to the Defence Forces and retained firefighters. The Taoiseach said the Defence Forces commission was examining wider organisational issues and he would revert to the Minister.
Page 115 of the programme for Government contains a promise to amend the Organisation of Working Time Act, thereby bringing the Defence Forces within the scope of its provisions. What progress has been made with this? Will the scope include retained firefighters?
Comment on this
As the Deputy knows, the Commission on the Future of the Defence Forces is currently meeting to consider the organisation of the Defence Forces into the future. I will revert to the Minister on the question asked by the Deputy. There have always been exceptions pertaining to Defence Forces personnel in a range of areas because of the nature of their work and service to the State. I will come back to the Deputy on this.