Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 21 Feb 1995

Vol. 449 No. 4

Written Answers - Reserve Defence Forces Representative Associations.

Michael Bell

Question:

224 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Defence, in respect of the regulations providing for representative associations for the reserve defence forces, in respect separately of an FCA and Slua Muirí, the number and dates of meetings requested of each general officer commanding or flag officer, Naval Service, since July 1992 per section 7 paragraph 8 [2]; the dates such meetings took place in respect of each command or the Naval Service since 1992; the numbers requested in 1995 to date; whether meetings have been requested or taken place in each command after duty hours or on Saturdays by command; and whether this system or negotiation is proving of value, having regard to expeditious follow-up of issues raised and the compilation of minutes of meetings.[

Minister for Defence (Mr. Coveney)

As provided for in paragraph 8 of Defence Force Regulations S.7, five meetings between GOCs and representatives of RDFRA took place at command level between July 1992 and December 1994. Details of the dates and number of meetings in each command are set out in the following statement.No meetings have been requested to date in 1995 but it is anticipated that a meeting with the general officer commanding, Eastern Command will be arranged during this month. All meetings with the GOCs took place on the dates requested by RDFRA. Of those meetings, two took place after normal duty hours — one in the Eastern Command and one in the Western Command.

The system of negotiation referred to in the question has proved to be of value. Issues raised have been or are being addressed as quickly as possible. Agreed minutes record the proceedings of each meeting.

Meetings between GOCs and representatives of RDFRA at command level.

Eastern Command

Meetings requested 2 — on 24/2/1994

(Thursday) and

21/9/1994 (Wednesday).

Southern Command

Meetings requested 1 — on 7/10/1993

(Friday)

Western Command

Meetings requested 1 — on 7/11/1994

(Monday)

Curragh Command

Meetings requested 1 — 23/6/1994

(Thursday)

Naval Service

Meetings requested None