The Minister noted that levels of pay was a concern to the members of the Association. The Minister said “The Government is committed to improving the pay of all public servants through the implementation of the Lansdowne Road Agreement. Following the signing up of PDFORRA to this Agreement in March, their members have received backdated payments over the last few months. The bulk of the pay increases accruing to members of the Defence Forces have been focused on the lower paid – this is only right. I was particularly pleased that significant increases to the pay scales for new entrant and post 2013 general service recruits and privates were secured as part of a deal that was negotiated earlier this year by my Department and PDFORRA.” For example a new army 3 Star Private, or the naval service equivalent, following their recruitment and follow on training, which takes 17 weeks and 12 weeks respectively, can now expect minimum gross annual earnings of €27,000 (inclusive of military service allowance).