Vol. 468 No. 1
26 Ms Keogh asked the Minister for Defence the number of reports recording agreement which he has received in 1996 from the conciliation council of the Defence Forces conciliation scheme; the number of claims currently under negotiation with the conciliation council; whether he has satisfied himself that the scheme is operating effectively and to the satisfaction of all the parties to the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14441/96]
Since the conciliation and arbitration scheme was established in March, 1993, 71 council reports have been signed. Twelve conciliation council reports recording agreement have been adopted to date in 1996. A further five reports recording agreement will be adopted at the next meetings of the conciliation council.
I am satisfied that the conciliation and arbitration scheme is operating effectively. It is, of course, open to any of the parties to the scheme to raise its operation through the normal industrial relations procedures.
The Programme for Competitiveness and Work was accepted by both RACO and PDFORRA in 1994. The associated pay agreement provides that parties who have not processed their claims under the previous Programme for Economic and Social Progress to a conclusion may process claims on the basis of a negotiated settlement involving changes in structures, work practices or other conditions of service. Alternatively a single cost increasing claim for an amount not exceeding 3 per cent of the basic pay cost of the group of employees concerned may be processed in accordance with the normal industrial relations procedures. The Programme for Competitiveness and Work provides that no cost increasing claims other than those dealing with pensions and sick pay schemes, can be made or processed during its currency.
A negotiated agreement was reached with RACO in 1995 and negotiations with PDFORRA are at an advanced stage.
