Vol. 470 No. 7
267 Mr. Clohessy asked the Minister for Defence the plans, if any, he has to pay allowances for unsociable hours worked by sensor and airborne radar operators, to bring their income in line with other personnel drawn from the Air Corps and Naval Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20072/96]
Under the Defence (Amendment) Act 1990, the payment of allowances comes within the scope of representation of the Permanent Defence Force Other Ranks Representative Association and may be processed through the Conciliation and Arbitration Scheme for the Permanent Defence Force which was established in agreement with the association. The question of the payment of additional pay and allowances to airborne sensor and radar operators has been raised by the association under the terms of the Conciliation and Arbitration Scheme. Under the terms of the scheme, as agreed with the association, discussions on claims which are being processed are confidential. You will appreciate, therefore, that as the matter is under active consideration at present it would not be appropriate for me to comment further at this time.
