Vol. 408 No. 5
9 Mr. McCartan asked the Minister for Defence if he will outline the present position regarding negotiations with representatives of PDFORRA on the regulations to cover the activities of the representative association; when it is expected that the negotiations will be concluded and the regulations put in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
18 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Defence if his Department have stipulated that the post of General Secretary of RACO must be filled by a serving officer; the reason for such a restriction; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
33 Mr. Pattison asked the Minister for Defence if agreement has been reached between his Department/ general staff and the two representative bodies within the Defence Forces in respect of the draft regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 9, 18 and 33 together.
I am pleased to say that agreement has been reached with the elected representatives of officers and enlisted personnel on the terms of the Defence Force Regulations which provide for representative associations in the Permanent Defence Force. The regulations will be signed tomorrow afternoon.
I want to congratulate——
I understood there were to be no supplementaries.
No supplementaries. I want simply to congratulate the Minister, the representative associations and all involved in these long and tortuous negotiations. We will be signing the regulations tomorrow. I thank the Minister for that information.
