As the Minister is aware, the Defence Forces representative associations have been locked out of national wage talks for decades now. It is one of the reasons our troops are the most poorly paid public servants in the country. The Commission on the Defence Forces reported in January and has recommended to the Government that associate membership of ICTU be provided to both PDFORRA and RACO. I am mindful that the next round of national wage talks will begin in May. Has the Government taken any decisions on this regard? If not, are we likely to get a decision before these wage talks commence in a few months?

I thank Deputy Berry for raising this issue, which is primarily a matter for the Department of Defence. I acknowledge what the Commission on the Defence Forces has said on it. The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform does not, in principle, have any objection to the affiliation of PDFORRA and RACO to ICTU. I will discuss the issue with the Minister for Defence. I understand the Deputy's point about the next round of public pay talks, the date of which is not confirmed, and that these organisations will want to be part of that process.