Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 21 Feb 1995

Vol. 449 No. 4

Written Answers - Defence Forces in Rwanda: Dispute.

Jim Mitchell

Question:

235 Mr. J. Mitchell asked the Minister for Defence if he will give details of the dispute in his Department and the members of the Defence Forces who went as a group to serve in Rwanda as a result of the recent famine emergency there; his views on whether they were informed before they went that they would get the normal UNIFIL rates; in view of the fact that they served in Rwanda from September to December 1994, the total UNIFIL rates to cover that period and the lesser rate now being offered; and in the circumstances, if he will agree the UNIFIL rates should be paid. [3887/95]

Minister for Defence (Mr. Coveney)

There is no dispute within my Department in relation to this matter. The terms and conditions of service, including allowances, of the personnel who were engaged on humanitarian duties in Rwanda/Zaire have been raised by the Permanent Defence Force Representative Associations under the terms of the conciliation and arbitration scheme for the Permanent Defence Force. Under the terms of the scheme as agreed with the associations, negotiations are confidential.However, I can tell the Deputy that agreement has been reached with the Representative Association for Commissioned Officers in relation to its members and that discussions, likely to lead to a satisfactory outcome, are continuing with the Permanent Defence Force Other Ranks Representative Association.