Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 March 2017
53. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if associations such as RACO and PDFORRA have been engaged in terms of pay and conditions in a similar way to the GRA and the AGSI; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10590/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware the scheme of Conciliation and Arbitration for members of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) provides a formal mechanism for the PDF Representative Associations, RACO and PDFORRA, to engage with the Official side. The purpose of the scheme is to provide a means for the determination of claims and proposals from the Associations relating to remuneration and conditions of service. Since 1993, there have been significant developments and improvements in the pay and conditions of military personnel. The Representative Associations have been to the fore in advancing the interests of their members in this regard, bringing them in line generally with the pay and conditions available in other public service employments. The Conciliation and Arbitration scheme includes access to an independent adjudication.
In addition, a framework exists which facilitates the Associations engaging with the official side in talks parallel to those taking place between ICTU and the official side at National level. This parallel process operated in respect of the 2015 rounds of discussions, facilitated by the Labour Relations Commission, on an extension to the ‘Public Service Agreement 2013 – 2016’ leading to the Lansdowne Road Agreement.
I have received representations from PDFORRA seeking to have access to the Workplace Relations Commission and the Labour Court made available to them in the event of any future legislative changes being made to provide An Garda Síochána with access to same. I remain satisfied with the present arrangements in place for the Defence Forces and have no immediate plans to make any changes. However, in the light of PDFORRA's representations the matter is being kept under review, including in the context of any future arrangements to be made for An Garda Síochána.
