Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 17 Feb 2000

Vol. 514 No. 5

Written Answers. - Defence Forces Representative Associations.

Phil Hogan

Question:

76 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Defence the number of meetings he has had in 1999 and to date in 2000 on a formal basis with the representative associations, PDFORRA and RACO; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4575/00]

Brendan Howlin

Question:

85 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Defence the number of meetings he has had with the representative associations in each year since taking office; if he has satisfied himself that these meetings cover all relevant areas; the plans, if any, he has to amend legislation covering the operation of representative organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4523/00]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 76 and 85 together.

I last had formal meetings with RACO and PDFORRA on 19 August 1999 and 25 May 1999, respectively. Both associations have recently submitted requests for meetings with me. These meetings are arranged for next week. In addition I attended the delegate conferences of both associations late last year.

Since my appointment as Minister for Defence in October 1997, I have had at least one formal meeting each year with representatives of both PDFORRA and RACO. These meetings are generally at the request of either association to deal with issues which are of concern to them.

The conciliation and arbitration scheme provides a mechanism within which issues which come within the associations' remit can and should be addressed. While I am happy to meet with PDFORRA and RACO in any situation where the representative associations are involved I am anxious that the normal representative machinery would be used.

Legislation establishing the Defence Forces representative associations which was passed by this House in 1990 takes cognisance of the special nature of the military organisation with its own ethos and responsibilities. Accordingly, the Defence Amendment Act, 1990, specifically excludes from the scope of representation "any operation and the raising, maintenance, command, constitution, organisation and discipline of the Defence Forces...". In the ten years since the enactment of this legislation and the establishment of representative associations I have not become aware of any compelling reason, in either the use of the representative process by the associations or in terms of its effectiveness, to propose an amendment to the legislation, nor have any proposals to do so been made to me. It is incumbent on all parties to the representative process to use the machinery which is at their disposal in an efficient, effective and responsible manner.