Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 17 Dec 1997

Vol. 485 No. 3

Written Answers. - Pay Negotiations.

John Perry

Question:

21 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Defence if negotiations have commenced between officials of his Department and PDFORRA regarding pay under the Programme for Competitiveness and Work as promised by the Minister in his address to PDFORRA's annual delegate conference in Tralee, County Kerry. [18186/97]

Andrew Boylan

Question:

28 Mr. Boylan asked the Minister for Defence if negotiations have commenced between officials of his Department and PDFORRA regarding pay under the Programme for Competitiveness and Work as promised by the Minister in his address to PDFORRA's annual delegate conference in Tralee, County Kerry. [18187/97]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 21 and 28 together.

A sub-committee of the conciliation council has been established to review, in the context of the PCW, allowances payable to the ranks represented by PDFORRA. A very constructive meeting with the association was held on 11 December and the next meeting will be held on 18 December. In the review which is now under way, the official side will be as anxious as PDFORRA to reach a conclusion which is acceptable to all sides, and many of the concerns of the association can be addressed in a constructive manner.

These discussions are taking place under the conciliation and arbitration scheme for the Permanent Defence Force. As agreed with the associations, the scheme provides that discussions taking place under it are confidential to the parties involved. The Deputy will appreciate that it would not be appropriate, therefore, for me to comment in detail on the issues under discussion.