Seán Power
Ceist:230 Mr. Power asked the Minister for Defence if his attention has been drawn to PDFORRA's call at its annual delegates conference in 1996 for access to national pay talks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24000/96]
Written Answers. - New National Agreement.
In response to concerns expressed by RACO and PDFORRA that they were not involved in discussions leading to previous national pay agreements, both associations were invited last month to participate in a separate sub-group within the overall framework for the discussions on a new national programme. This sub-group would comprise representatives of the Permanent Defence Force, the Garda Síochána and departmental officials and would operate under the aegis of and be chaired by the Department of the Taoiseach. This invitation was extended so as to provide, for the first time and on a structured basis, a channel of communication for the security forces in the context of the discussions on a new national programme and to enable their representative associations put forward their aspirations for and views on such a programme. A definitive response from the associations is awaited.