Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 1 Oct 1998

Vol. 494 No. 3

Written Answers - Defence Forces Pay.

Pat Rabbitte

Ceist:

96 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Defence if he will outline the new Government pay offer to members of the Defence Forces; when it is expected to be put to the representative bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17819/98]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

Under the Defence (Amendment) Act, 1990, matters relating to pay and allowances come within the scope of representation of the Representative Association of Commissioned Officers (RACO and Permanent Defence Force Other Ranks Representative Association (PDFORRA) and may be processed through the conciliation and arbitration scheme for the permanent Defence Force which was established in agreement with the associations. Sub-committees of the conciliation council were established to review, in the context of the PCW, the question of pay and allowances payable to the ranks represented by the representative associations. Discussions have been ongoing at subcommittee level and it is anticipated that they will be finalised shortly. I can confirm that offers have been made to both associations for a range of increases which will amount to around 4 per cent of the payroll cost, in addition to the earlier increase of 3 per cent. The combined increase falls within the parameters of the PCW. While the final acceptance of the offers will depend on a ballot of members, I understand that the executive committee of both the associations are recommending acceptance.

Donal Carey

Ceist:

100 Mr. D. Carey asked the Minister for Defence the plans, if any, he has to tackle the issue of time at sea for members of the Naval Service, many of whom are working increased hours without recompense. [17892/98]

Frances Fitzgerald

Ceist:

155 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Defence the plans, if any, he has to tackle the issue of time at sea for members of the Naval Service, many of whom are working increased hours without recompense. [18104/98]

David Stanton

Ceist:

184 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Defence the amount of sea going allowance paid to various ranks in the Naval Service; his views on whether this is adequate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18141/98]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 100, 155 and 184 together.

Under the Defence (Amendment) Act, 1990, matters relating to pay and allowances come within the scope of representation of the Permanent Defence Force Other Ranks Representative Association (PDFORRA) and the Representative Association for Commissioned Officers (RACO) and may be processed through the conciliation and arbitration scheme for the permanent Defence Force which was established in agreement with the associations. Subcommittees of the conciliation council were established to review, in the context of the PCW, the question of pay and allowances, including patrol duty allowance, payable to the ranks represented by the representative associations. Discussions have been ongoing at subcommittee level and it is anticipated that they will be finalised shortly. I can confirm that offers have been made to both associations for a range of increases which include a substantial increase in the rate of patrol duty allowance. While the final acceptance of the offers will depend on a ballot of members, I understand that the executive committee of both the associations are recommending acceptance.