Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 28 Jan 1998

Vol. 486 No. 1

Written Answers. - Defence Forces Representation.

Michael Bell

Question:

384 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Defence the number and dates of meetings requested of each General Officer Commanding or the Flag Officer, Naval Service from July 1995 to date in 1998 per S7 paragraph 8(2) in relation to the regulations providing for representative associations for the Reserve Defence Forces and in relation to the FCA and An Slua Muirí; the dates these meetings took place in relation to each command or the Naval Service for each of the years from 1995 to date in 1998; the numbers requested since 1995; whether meetings have been requested or have taken place in each command after duty hours or on Saturdays; his views on whether this system of negotiation is proving of value in view of the expeditious follow up to issues raised and the compilation of minutes of meetings. [1356/98]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith):

Details of the dates and number of meetings held since July 1995 with General Officers Commanding and representatives of the Reserve Defence Forces Representative Association (RDFRA) as provided for in paragraph 8 of Defence Force Regulations S.7, are not readily available. However, I have arranged for this information to be prepared and forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.

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.