The Leader will say I am like a broken record when it comes to the Defence Forces, but I have gained information this morning that adjudications provided for increases in income for specialists in the Defence Forces such as chefs and members of the ranger wing, among various other specialists, but the Department has decided that, while it will pay the increases from 1 October, it will not backdate them. A considerable amount of money is involved and it is not good enough that, following a process, adjudications have been overturned by departmental officials. It has resulted in PDFORRA initiating a High Court action to get what is due under the adjudications. What is it about this country that every time something like this comes up, we cannot resolve it without going to the courts, costing the country tens of thousands of euro to defend the indefensible? This morning I also found out that the wives and girlfriends of members of the Defence Forces had opened up a GoFundMe page because they said soldiers could not afford to live. It is embarrassing that they have to try to raise money for Christmas. I heard stories about children eating pasta and cereal for lunch and not having seen meat for several days. We have to get to the truth of the matter. I hope the Leader will support me. We need somebody from the welfare services to meet the families. I am prepared to go with them as we cannot allow this to continue. I hear about soldiers going for a run at lunchtime because they cannot afford to eat in the mess. This is not acceptable. We need to come together to resolve the issue.

I also bang on about the same thing day in and day out. The Department has confirmed that it is willing to pay the increases with effect from 1 October.

Unfortunately, the Department has also confirmed that it is unwilling to pay the arrears. This would be in connection with the adjudication on pay for cook technicians, Army rangers, account holders and recruits who must pay for their rations and accommodation. I welcome this decision, but it is terrible that we had to raise the issue so much. Senator Craughwell and I have raised it many times. It is terrible that it has taken so long to reach the position where the provision will have commenced on 1 October. I am exceptionally disappointed that the arrears will not be paid. As I have said in the House on numerous occasions, this affects several of my friends, two of whom have passed away since this all started. Their wives and widows will not get this adjudication or arrears. Some of my friends have retired and will not have this adjudication paid to them, which is very disappointing.

A rebate should be considered for recruits. In recent years recruits have had to pay for their accommodation and rations. At the very least and especially as there will be no back pay, they should get a rebate for their expenditure. As they have paid for training, they should get their money back.

I urge both sides to discuss whether there are alternatives to the absolute denial of the arrears payment. PDFORRA has suggested legal action, as has Senator Craughwell. I would be very nervous of taking legal action until I know that the recruits and cook technicians will get what they deserve. Let us have them paid first from 1 October and then consider the adjudication or court proceedings. It is vital that the people concerned get their money because they are entitled to it. Nobody who works for the Defence Forces should be hungry when they get up in the morning and go out to work. I do not blame the Department of Defence, but I blame the Department of Finance. It is vital that we deal with this matter. PDFORRA should see if there is a way to deal with this matter first and at least allow the payments dating from 1 October to be made.