Vol. 476 No. 3
179 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Defence the steps, if any, currently being taken to deal with the issue of equitable subsistence provision for the members of PDFORRA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6958/97]
I assume that the question relates to the question of the payment of subsistence allowance to members of the Permanent Defence Force personnel involved with the BSE-related operations in Border areas. The provisions governing the payment of subsistence allowance to Defence Forces personnel are provided for in Defence Force Regulations. Under the Defence (Amendment) Act, 1990, the payment of allowances comes within the scope of representation of the Permanent Defence Force Other Ranks Representative Association and may be processed through the conciliation and arbitration scheme for the Permanent Defence Force which was established in agreement with the association. The question of the payment of allowances to personnel involved with the BSE-related operations in Border areas has been raised by the association under the terms of the conciliation and arbitration scheme and is under active consideration at present. Under the terms of the scheme, as agreed with the association, discussions on claims which are being processed are confidential. The Deputy will appreciate, therefore, that it would not be appropriate for me to comment further at this time.
