Alan Shatter
Question:59 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Defence the progress made in introducing partnership structures for the Defence Forces; if he will outline these structures; and when they will become operational. [25485/01]
Written Answers. - Defence Forces Partnership Committees.
The representative associations PDFORRA and RACO signed and agreed to the terms of Partnership 2000 in November 1998, considerably later than other public service groups. Consequently, the process of setting up partnership arrangements in the Defence Forces did not commence as early as in other sectors of the public service. I believe that the partnership approach can be used to good effect in the management of the changes being undertaken throughout the Defence Forces.
Discussions were held with both representative associations in relation to the introduction of partnership structures in the Defence Forces. A number of technical and procedural issues arose and are being examined at present. When these issues are resolved the Defence Forces national partnership steering group committee will be set up. Following this, individual partnership committees will be set up at local level.