Vol. 493 No. 3
180 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Defence his views on the published military decision not to use FCA on overseas service in view of the opposition of RACO and PDFORRA; and if these associations have a direct input into operational matters in view of this decision. [16061/98]
The position with regard to the question as to whether or not members of An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil may serve in overseas missions is that no decision has been taken in the matter at this time.
The Defence (Amendment) Act, 1990, specifically excludes from the scope of representation operational matters and matters relating to the raising, maintenance, command, constitution, organisation and discipline of the Defence Forces. Defence Force Regulations provide, however, that general criteria governing selection for overseas service come within the scope of representation.
