Vol. 418 No. 1
2 Mr. G. O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Defence if his attention has been drawn to the frustration within the Defence Forces representative associations at the delay they are experiencing in receiving replies to their correspondence; and whether this suggests a lack of commitment by senior officers to the concept of normal negotiations and consultations as envisaged in the recent Defence Bill.
83 Mr. G. O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Defence if his attention has been drawn to the disquiet within the representative associations at the delay in the introduction of the conciliation and arbitration system within the Defence Forces.
87 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for Defence if it is intended to establish a conciliation and arbitration scheme for ranks other than commissioned officers in the Defence Forces; when it will be established; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 2, 83 and 87 together.
Since the establishment of the two associations, RACO, representing officers up to and including the ranks of colonel, and PDFORRA, representing NCO's and privates, there have been regular and frequent meetings between the association representatives and representatives, civil and military, of my Department including, where appropriate, representatives of the Department of Finance. In addition, there has been frequent correspondence and telephone contact between the two sides. A wide range of issues has been discussed, examples of which are as follows: (a) applications for increased pay; (b) promotion of officers; (c) implementation of various recommendations contained in the report of the Gleeson Commission; and (d) payment of security duty allowance. As a result of such discussions many issues have been resolved to the satisfaction of all concerned.
However, it is an accepted feature of all representation, whether in the public or private sectors, that it is not always practicable for management to concede every proposal or to resolve difficult issues as speedily as association representatives would wish and it may be expected that the Defence Forces will not be an exception in this regard. Specifically I wish to say that, in the contex of my Department's dealings with the associations generally, there have no been any undue delays in processing the various issues raised.
On the contrary, I am satisfied the representative arrangements are, generally speaking, developing in a satisfactory manner and I wish to pay tribute both to the RACO and PDFORRA representatives and the departmental representatives, civil and military, for the remarkable progress that has been made since the establishment of the associations in developing the new representative initiative.
As regards a system of conciliation and arbitration, a process of consultation with both representative associations, RACO and PDFORRA, who will be parties to the scheme, is already well under way. Discussions on the terms of the scheme are continuing with each association an a considerable measure of progress have now been made.
I thank the Minister for his comprehensive reply. I am sure he will agree that we are not talking about normal industrial relations in the instance. Does the Minister agree that proper arbitration and conciliation scheme which would lead to better liaison between both groups is necessary? On occasion there have been long delay between the issuing of letters and the holding of meetings. Would the Minister not agree it is essential that a proper system is introduced so that both group will know that their negotiations will have positive results? There should be no delay whatsoever in putting into practice the arrangement which was heralded by all of us in the House as a major break through, in regard to negotiations with the Defence Forces?
I agree with the Deputy that it is very important this entire system should work in as well a lubricated fashion as possible. I think the Deputy and the House will agree that the arrangement which was put in place a very short time ago has resulted in substantial progress in this area in the meantime. All representative organisations have to find their own genre, their own way of working. The representative organisations and the military and civil representatives of the Department of Defence have developed a good synergy. It is important that this is so because a great deal of very punctilious work was put into the establishment of the organisations.
May I——
A brief question, Deputy.
Will the Minister give an assurance to the House that sufficient personnel will be involved so that there will be no undue delays in regard to the negotiations? With all due respects to the Minister, I do not think phone calls are adequate. Sufficient personnel should be involved to avoid undue delays and so that people could see that progress is being made in this vital area in the Defence Forces.
I assure the Deputy that, in so far as it is in my power, there will be no undue delay in processing business between the representative organisations and my Department.
Three months for a reply?
I will supply the Deputy with statistics in this regard if he requires them.
