Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 October 2018
139. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the reason members of the Defence Forces Reserve are not represented by an organisation (details supplied) in keeping with the single force concept; and if changes to Defence Forces regulations and amendments to the Defence (Amendment) Act 2015 are being considered in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39989/18]
View answerMembers of the Army Reserve and the Naval Service Reserve are not employed or engaged under a contract of employment. A contract of employment stipulates the hours of work, hours of attendance or other related matters normally associated with the concept of gainful employment. Furthermore, service with the Army Reserve and Naval Service Reserve is not pensionable under the Army Pension Schemes. Therefore, the issue of representation by the employee groups referred to by the Deputy does not arise for reservists.
However, under the terms of Defence Forces Regulations S7, there stands established an association known as the Reserve Defence Force Representative Association (RDFRA) for the purpose of representing members of the Army Reserve and the Naval Service Reserve in relation to matters such as remuneration, conditions of service and career development.
