Vol. 409 No. 10
4 Mrs. Taylor-Quinn asked the Minister for Defence if the draft constitution, object, procedures and rules of Reserve Defence Force Representative Association have been submitted to him; if so, his views on their contents; and when he will be in a position to give formal recognition to this body.
6 Mr. Ryan asked the Minister for Defence when he proposes to ratify the establishment of the Reserve Defence Force Representative Association; and if further legislation will be required in this regard.
13 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Defence if, having regard to his reply to Parliamentary Question No.37 of 15 May 1991, his attention has been drawn to the fact that individuals of the body referred to have been questioned by senior Permanent Defence Force personnel as to their involvement and participation in the activities of the FCARA; his views on such action; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos.4, 6 and 13 together. The statutory authority for the establishment of representative associations for members of the Defence Forces rests with the Minister for Defence under the Defence (Amendment) Act, 1990.
Recently I signed Defence Force regulations providing for the formal establishment of two associations, the Representative Association of Commissioned Officers and the Permanent Defence Force Other Ranks Representative Association, for the members of the Permanent Defence Force.
The 1990 Act applies to both the Permanent Defence Force and the Reserve Defence Force and provides that an association may represent its members in relation to remuneration and such matters as may be specified in Defence Force regulations but excluding matters such as operations, command, organisation and discipline.
I am now examining the question of representative structures for the Reserve Defence Force. I met members of the Reserve on 4 April 1991 and on 1 May 1991, a meeting was held between representatives — civil and military — of my Department and a delegation of members of that force. The delegation outlined their views generally on the establishment of a representative association and it was agreed that these would be considered by my Department.
The discussions with the members of the Reserve Defence Force have taken place in an atmosphere of goodwill and co-operation and are designed to facilitate the full expression of their proposals.
The question of approval for a constitution and rules will arise after the formal establishment, by Defence Force regulations, of an association.
Following the signature by me of the regulations providing for associations in the PDF my Department wrote to the members of the Reserve Defence Force concerned and invited them to furnish their views in regard to the content of the regulations to provide for representative structures for the force. These views are awaited.
I appreciate the Minister has met only recently with the people concerned. Were the aims and objectives of the association raised in the course of discussions? Would the Minister be prepared to accept some of the aims and objectives outlined by the group? In particular, what would his view be in relation to the group being able to communicate through the media with the general public on matters which concern the association? Would he have any objection to that? What would the Minister's attitude be to the acquisition of property, the leaseholding of property and their ability to raise and borrow money?
As I indicated, I had a constructive meeting with the representatives of the organisation in my own constituency. We did not invite the media and fortunately they did not turn up. Following that meeting they had a further meeting with officials of my Department at which they discussed a number of issues which it would not be appropriate to discuss here. The Department are more than willing to work out a format or regulations as they did with the other representative associations. If the achievement we had there can be reflected in the new arrangements for the Reserve Defence Force then I think we will have a very satisfactory outcome.
The constitution of the Reserve Defence Association was adopted by that association on 15 June. Furthermore, I first raised this issue last November. What is required now is a specific commitment from the Minister that he is prepared to endorse this association and give statutory effect to it and that he will enable this body to be set up so that it can represent its members at an early date. Will the Minister accept that there is grave concern that there will just be platitudes from the Department? We want action. We want to see this association up and running and we want a commitment from the Minister that this will happen at an early date.
I am fully aware of the Deputy's interest in this area. We had a useful and constructive meeting and are awaiting a response from the people we had discussions with. The sooner we get that, the sooner we can go ahead. I am willing and anxious to see this association established. My Department will be forthcoming in their dealings with them in regard to putting these arrangements in place.
Can we take it then, that there will be no undue delay on the part of the Department when the necessary documentation is presented? Can we hope that before the Dáil sits for the autumn session the regulations will be in force?
I will not give any commitment about dates or times. However, I can assure the Deputy that there will be no delay on our part. I believe that subsequent to the meetings I mentioned further meetings have been held by the people proposing to establish the association. For my part there will be no undue delay.
