Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 October 2020
303. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Defence the complex legal, operational and management concerns with regard to a potential aligning of an association (details supplied) with a union; and if the association can address these in order to achieve its goal. [31577/20]
View answerThe Government is aware of the long standing desire of PDFORRA to become either affiliated to, or take up associate membership of, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions. This matter requires detailed consideration as it raises significant challenges including the risk of impinging on the military chain of command.
Defence management (civil and military) have been engaged in discussions with the Permanent Defence Force representative associations and ICTU regarding the practicalities of a Defence Forces representative association forming association/affiliation with ICTU and the assurances that would be required to allow for this.
PDFORRA initiated legal proceedings on this matter on 26 June 2020. As this matter is now subject to litigation, it would not be appropriate to comment further.
