The Civil Service Conciliation & Arbitration Scheme (C&A Scheme) is the formal structure for the conduct of industrial relations in the civil service. Under the provisions of the C&A Scheme the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform may consider applications from any union or association seeking recognition under the Scheme provided that they are holders of a negotiation licence under the Trade Union Act, 1941. Such recognised unions or associations are organised on the basis of grade or category of employees within the civil service in order to facilitate their representative roles. It is accordingly within this context that civil servants are facilitated with union or association membership.