Michael Ferris
Question:29 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Defence the number of meetings he has had with representative bodies since 1 April 1999; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13171/99]
Written Answers. - Defence Forces Representative Process.
While I have had informal contacts with the Defence Forces representative associations from time to time I have not had any formal meetings with either PDFORRA or RACO since 1 April 1999. I addressed the RDFRA annual delegate conference on Saturday 15 May and I have also had some informal contacts with representatives of that association over the last few weeks. A formal meeting with PDFORRA will take place in the near future.
The conciliation and arbitration scheme for the Permanent Defence Force and the agreed representative arrangements with RDFRA are the mechanism within which issues of concern to the associations and the departmental side can and should be addressed. A number of meetings with PDFORRA and RACO have been held under the conciliation and arbitration mechanism this year and there are regular informal contacts between the official and staff sides.
In any situation where the representative associations are involved I am anxious to encourage the use of the normal representative machinery to process routine business. The fact that my intervention has not been requested underlines the fact that the representative system is being used in an appropriate manner and that the process is working.