Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 June 2019
25. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he has considered the establishment of a standing armed forces pay review body similar to that established in the UK as has been requested by an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24565/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn Ireland, public service pay determination is conducted through central negotiations. The UK Government has a different method determining rates of public sector pay. There are independent pay review bodies for individual sectors.
It should also be noted that the UK Armed Forces do not have representative associations to negotiate on their behalf.
In the past, the Permanent Defence Force Representative Associations have felt excluded from the negotiations at national pay talk as they are not members of ICTU, who play a key role in such negotiations.
Both RACO and PDFORRA were invited to the negotiations which led to the current agreement, the Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020, were held under the auspices of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC). The issues raised by the Defence Forces Representative Associations were considered in tandem with those raised by other public sector representative associations and trade unions.
Members of the Defence Forces have received the benefits of representation in the past and it is intended that they will continue to do so in the future.
Public sector pay policy comes under the remit of my colleague Mr. Pascal Donohoe T.D. , Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform. The Minister reiterated in the past couple of days his commitment to the Public Service Stability Agreement.
