Vol. 402 No. 2
1 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for Defence if he will outline the scope of representation which he will authorise for the Defence Forces' representative associations, RACO and PDFORRA; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
52 Tomás Mac Giolla asked the Minister for Defence if he will make a statement on the progress made to date in implementing the terms of the Defence (Amendment) Act, 1990.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 52 together.
Following the enactment of the Defence (Amendment) Act, 1990, elections were conducted throughout the Permanent Defence Force under the general supervision of the franchise section of the Department of the Environment, for the purpose of electing representatives of (a) officers and (b) enlisted personnel. The representatives at barracks and command levels elected from among themselves seven officers and 12 enlisted personnel to represent them at national level.
On 6 July 1990 I met the newly elected representatives at national level and discussions between those representatives and representatives of the Department were initiated with a view to working out the details of the new representative arrangements and to drawing up Defence Force Regulations which will provide for the formal establishment of the associations. Since that time discussions have been continuing on a regular basis in a cordial and businesslike way and a large measure of progress has been achieved.
Under the Defence (Amendment) Act, 1990, the scope of representation will include remuneration and such other matters as may be specified in the regulations. The word "remuneration" in this context means pay, allowances, gratuities or grants payable to a member of the Permanent Defence Force or any pension, retired pay or gratuity for which a member may be eligible in respect of or arising out of his service as such a member.
A very considerable measure of agreement has been reached regarding the remaining matters to be included in the scope of representation in the discussions with the elected representatives of officers and those of enlisted personnel. By agreement between the parties concerned, the discussions are being treated as confidential. I may say, however, that arising from the discussions to date, a list containing more than 20 items over and above the remuneration item has been proposed to the elected representatives for further consideration.
When discussions have been finalised in regard to some remaining matters the way will be clear for the making of the regulations providing for the formal establishment of the associations.
Despite the indication given by the Minister that a considerable measure of agreement has been reached, it is my understanding that strenuous efforts are being made by the Department and Army Headquarters to confine RACO and PDFORRA to discussing pay and remuneration and very little else. If this is so it runs contrary to the undertaking given by the Minister in this House and I would like him to assure me that this is not the case.
I can assure the Deputy that that is not the case and I reject the implication in his question. While I cannot go into detail on the matters to be included in the scope of representation I can say categorically that matters such as conciliation and arbitration, promotion schemes, overseas service and access to the media will be covered as well as pay.
It is no great news that the question of access to the media, which formed part and parcel of the deal, will be included. Can the Minister inform the House if matters such as career development, level of education on entry to the Army, educational training, in particular for officers, and merit based promotions will be included? It is my understanding that difficulties are being encountered in the discussions on these areas.
I was hoping for brevity.
I can tell the Deputy and the House that all these matters are under consideration for incorporation in the proposed regulations.
Under consideration for incorporation——
These are what the discussions to which I referred in my reply are all about.
