Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 November 2016
537. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if his Department recognises the Defence Forces conciliation and arbitration scheme and Promotion Agreement CR295 and CR447; and his Department's stance on the necessary negotiation with Defence Forces' representative associations prior to changing any elements of either policy instrument. [33285/16]
View answerA Conciliation and Arbitration Scheme for Members of the Permanent Defence Force exists within my Department. The purpose of the scheme is to provide means for discussion and negotiation with members of the Representative Association of Commissioned Officers (RACO) and the Permanent Defence Forces Representative Association (PDFORRA).
CCR (Conciliation Council Report) 295 and CCR (Conciliation Council Report) 447 were negotiated and agreed with the Representative Association of Commissioned Officers (RACO) and my Department. As the Deputy will be aware, discussion and negotiation form an integral part of the Conciliation and Arbitration Scheme for the Representative Associations. The Deputy will also appreciate that all discussions under the Scheme are confidential to that process.
