Vol. 527 No. 4
47 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide greater opportunities for members of the representative associations to visit members serving overseas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28709/00]
The legislation passed by this House in 1990 which established the Defence Forces representative associations took cognisance of the nature of the military organisation with its own special 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 context of that legislation, overseas operations and hence visits to members overseas, do not come within the remit of the associations.
However, last year I permitted a group comprising all of the parties to the conciliation and arbitration process, including officials from both associations, to visit the UNIFIL area of operations. The main purpose of this visit was related to the review of overseas allowances and the visit also facilitated a less formal working environment for the parties concerned. I am pleased to say that the trip was a success for those involved.
