Written Answers Nos. 363-382
363. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department has resumed processing foreign birth registrations, which were ceased due to Covid-19; if not, when processing will recommence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23261/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Foreign Births Registration Section has now resumed the processing of applications. Foreign Births Registration, by its nature, can be a detailed and complex proces, often involving official documentation related to three generations and issued by several jurisdictions. At present, it takes between 12 to 18 months to process an application to completion.
The Foreign Births Registration Section has also introduced a dedicated webchat service for those seeking further information in relation to their application for FBR. This webchat service is open weekdays from 9AM - 4:30PM and can be accessed through the Citizenship page on my Department's website.
364. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps taken in response to the withdrawal of Poland from the Istanbul Convention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23300/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware of reports that Poland’s Minister of Justice has filed a formal request to the Polish Family Ministry to launch the procedure to facilitate Poland’s withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention. Should this become the official policy of the Polish Government, I would be concerned by such a policy. It is my understanding that the Polish Prime Minister has decided to submit a motion to Poland's Constitutional Tribunal to examine the compliance of the Istanbul Convention with the Polish Constitution.
Ireland has joined with other EU Member States in highlighting our concerns, emphasising that the Convention is the key international treaty to combat violence against women and domestic violence and that this is its sole objective.
Ireland has ratified the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combatting violence against women and domestic violence, also known as the Istanbul Convention. The Convention is a significant international legal instrument which requires criminalising or legally sanctioning different forms of violence against women, including domestic violence, sexual harassment and psychological violence.
Domestic and sexual violence can have devastating consequences for victims as well as society as a whole. When we ratified the Convention, it sent an important message that Ireland does not tolerate such violence. To date, all EU Member States have signed the treaty, and 21 EU Member States, including Poland, have ratified it. Poland is an EU Member State with which we share many values and interests, and its withdrawal from the Convention would be regrettable.
Once we develop a clearer understanding of the Polish Government’s position on this, we will seek to discuss the issue further with Polish counterparts in the appropriate fora at ministerial and official level.
We will continue to work both bilaterally and at the EU level to promote and protect the rights of women across the EU and beyond.
365. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps Ireland is taking to reinforce the commitment to the rule of law throughout the EU in view of the worrying developments in some member states; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23301/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland firmly supports the rule of law as a core value of the European Union. The rule of law is and should remain a fundamental principle that all EU Member States respect, protect and promote.
It is important for the EU to have the necessary tools to monitor the rule of law across Member States and effectively respond to challenges where they arise.
We welcome the priority given to the rule of law by the new Commission and by the German Presidency, and the development of the new rule of law mechanism. We have fully participated in the preparatory process for the Commission’s first annual report on the rule of law, including its chapter on Ireland, and we look forward to its publication later this month and subsequent discussion at the General Affairs Council.
As part of the Article 7 procedure, there have been a number of hearings at General Affairs Councils over the past two years involving the Commission, Hungary and Poland, and other Member States. We have actively participated, highlighting the importance we attach to respect for the rule of law. We encourage both Hungary and Poland to continue to work with the Commission and fellow Member States to address these concerns.
We will continue to work with fellow Member States and the EU institutions, as well as at bilateral level, to ensure that the rule of law is upheld across the Union.
366. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on whether European Union member states that do not respect the rule of law should be banned from receiving aid from the EU coronavirus recovery fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23302/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland firmly supports the rule of law as a core value of the European Union. The rule of law is and should remain a fundamental principle that all EU Member States respect, protect and promote.
The conclusions of the special meeting of the European Council in July this year state that a regime of conditionality, based on the general principles and values enshrined in the EU Treaties, will be introduced to protect the EU budget and the EU Covid-19 recovery fund, known as Next Generation EU (NGEU).
This will involve difficult discussions at Council level as a number of Member States strongly support the use of protective measures, adopted by qualified majority, while others oppose such measures.
Ireland supports the introduction of such conditionality, based on EU values including the rule of law, to protect both the EU budget and NGEU. Once the regime of conditionality is introduced, Ireland will support its fair, proportionate and effective implementation in appropriate situations after due process.
367. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps Ireland is taking to promote democracy and the rule of law in Hungary following revelations from an organisation (details supplied) that Hungary is no longer a democratic state; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23303/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware of assessments of democracy in Hungary by the organisation mentioned by the Deputy.
Ireland firmly supports the rule of law as a core value of the European Union. The rule of law is and should remain a fundamental principle that all EU Member States respect, protect and promote.
Our concerns about issues relating to the rule of law in Hungary are well known, specifically developments in the areas of judicial independence, the civil society space, media freedom, academic freedom and fundamental rights.
At an EU level, as part of the Article 7 procedure, there have been a number of hearings at General Affairs Councils over the past two years involving the Commission, Hungary and other Member States. We have actively participated, highlighting the importance we attach to respect for the rule of law. On 22 September, the General Affairs Council will again consider the situation in Hungary. We encourage Hungary to continue to work with the Commission and fellow Member States to address these concerns.
We also use all opportunities at both political and official level to raise our concerns bilaterally with the Government of Hungary.
We will continue to work with fellow Member States and the EU institutions, as well as at the bilateral level, to ensure that the rule of law is upheld across the Union.
368. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has voiced concerns about the ongoing violence and unrest in the United States of America over previous months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23304/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am shocked and saddened by the unrest and violence witnessed at some of the protests in the United States in recent months. The circumstances around the recent shootings in Wisconsin and Portland are alarming and highlight the harm that can arise from division in a society. We are witnessing sustained months of protests in the US decrying racism and issues of racial inequality. Wherever such social inequalities and injustices exist, voices must be heard. The right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression are fundamental values in any democratic society.
Democratic States have a duty to ensure their laws are respected and implemented, and to safeguard and police their communities. As I stated in June, this duty must, however, be discharged in a proportionate and accountable manner, avoiding excessive use of force and in line with international obligations. I continue to call for a de-escalation of tensions in the United States, and for a deepening of engagement and constructive dialogue at all levels to address the underlying issues of racial inequality, which has given rise to the protests.
The events over the past months in the US have also sharply brought into focus the need to examine our own society and any prejudices we may hold, and I welcome the debate it has opened up in Ireland. We must continually strive to become a more inclusive society in which people are not afraid to speak out about their experiences of racism, and in favour of a society in which discrimination is not tolerated. Our Programme for Government clearly outlines new commitments to build a society which reflects these values.
Ireland and the United States enjoy close political, economic and cultural relations. It is not comfortable to witness unrest in a country where so many of us have such close personal connections. As part of our regular dialogue, I have raised our concerns with the US Ambassador to Ireland on a number of occasions. We will also continue to monitor developments and to engage with those in community and political leadership on these issues, through our diplomatic missions in the United States.
369. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of missions undertaken since the establishment of the 2018 election observation roster; the location of each mission; the persons from the roster who were assigned to each mission; the number of the observers resident in Ireland versus the rest of the world; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23443/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra370. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the amount spent on election observation since the 2018 roster was established; the cost of airline tickets and fees and allowances paid to the selected observers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23444/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 369 and 370 together.
I refer the Deputy to my responses to Questions No. 338 and No. 342 of 21 July, as well as to Question No. 453 of 8 September, in which detailed information was provided on the current membership of roster of volunteers for election observation missions.
Ireland does not require volunteers selected for the election observer roster to be habitually resident in Ireland. All volunteers must be citizens of Ireland, to comply with a requirement that EU election observers be citizens of an EU Member State, Switzerland or Norway. No questions regarding habitual residency were asked of volunteers and no data on habitual residency has been generated for statistical or other purposes.
A wide range of data relating to election observation missions, including the number of missions undertaken, locations and costs, is published online on the Irish Aid and updated on a quarterly basis: www.irishaid.ie/get-involved/election-observation.
372. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps taken by Ireland at EU level to express opposition to the ongoing harassment and arrest of opposition leaders in Belarus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23617/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland has condemned the human rights violations we have seen in Belarus, including indiscriminate detentions of peaceful protesters, ill treatment of detainees and curtailments on freedoms of expression, assembly, and the media. Ireland, and the EU, have made it repeatedly clear that the violence must stop and that those unjustly detained, including political prisoners, must be released and thorough investigations of rights abuses conducted.
Our concern for the welfare of the Belorussian people, whose connections with the people of Ireland are well known, is central to our approach in contributing to EU positions, including at the UN Human Rights Council and the Council of Europe.
We continue to work constructively with our EU partners to impose sanctions on individuals responsible for falsifying the election result and the unacceptable violence we have seen. We believe a firm message must be sent.
We are also clear that the future of Belarus is for its people to decide and the EU has offered its support and assistance to the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in its efforts to facilitate a national dialogue between the authorities and civil society. We continue to explore a full range of supports to the Belorussian people with our EU colleagues, including diverting EU funding to civil society, the health sector and vulnerable persons.
The best way for Ireland to respond to this situation is by working with our EU partners and through the OSCE to try to secure a democratic resolution with full respect of fundamental rights, and this is what we will continue to do, including at the next Foreign Affairs Council where there will be a specific discussion on the situation in Belarus.
373. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when both the Cork and Dublin passport offices will reopen to the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23951/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Cork and Dublin Passport Offices were closed to the public on 27 March 2020 in response to the COVID-19 public health emergency. The Passport Service commenced a phased return to full operation on 8 June and has since processed over 140,000 passport applications. The re-opening of the Passport Offices in Dublin and Cork to the public is kept under regular review, with due consideration being given to public health protection measures.
The Passport Online Service has been fully operational since 8 June. The awarding-winning Passport Online Service is the cheapest and most convenient way to apply for a passport. It provides a user-friendly process which is available 24/7 to those seeking to renew their passports from anywhere in the world. Children’s passports can also be renewed online. Applicants in Ireland, Northern Ireland, Great Britain and Europe who are applying for the first time are also eligible to use the online service.
The Passport Service is currently meeting the target turnaround times for Passport Online applications. This is 5 working days for simple applications and 10 working days for complex applications, once the supporting documentation has been received.
The Passport Service resumed processing paper-based postal passport applications through the Passport Express and Northern Ireland Passport Express services on 4 August. The target turnaround time for processing paper-based applications is 6-8 weeks.
Whilst the public offices in Dublin and Cork are not open to callers at present, the Passport Service continues to operate a Customer Service Hub via phone and webchat which deals with approximately 3,600 customer enquiries per week. The customer service team is able to resolve most queries at the first point of contact.
The Passport Service has also maintained its emergency service throughout the public health emergency. The emergency service is available for those who are required to travel urgently due to the death or serious illness of a family member or because the applicant requires emergency medical treatment. Members of the public who require an emergency service should contact the Customer Service Hub.
374. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his plans to assist refugees affected by the fire in the Moria refugee camp on Lesbos, Greece; and if he will raise the issue at the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting on 21 September 2020. [23991/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am deeply saddened by the fire at the Moria camp on Lesbos and the impact this has had on the refugees and migrants based at the camp. It is a relief that there are no reported deaths or injuries, but the very sudden displacement of thousands of people has caused great suffering and created a major humanitarian emergency as well as posing a huge logistical challenge for the Greek authorities in the midst of the COVID pandemic.
My colleague, the Minister for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne, spoke with his Greek counterpart on 9 September immediately after the fire to offer Ireland's full solidarity and support. The Greek authorities have now requested assistance from EU Partners in dealing with the immediate humanitarian needs arising. My Department is actively looking at this request and identifying what immediate assistance we can provide to the Greek authorities from our humanitarian logistics base at Brindisi.
In regard to raising the issue at the Foreign Affairs Council, I understand that Greece will take the opportunity at raise this issue at the relevant upcoming Councils.
As Minister for Foreign Affairs, I have repeatedly urged the need for greater solidarity and burden-sharing among Member States in dealing with the wider issue of migration. We in Ireland are endeavouring to do our part, having already received 1022 asylum seekers (including six unaccompanied minors) from Greece under the first phase of the Irish Refugee Protection Programme. We have also committed to accept 36 unaccompanied minors in need of international protection in Greece, and I was pleased that the first group of eight such minors arrived in Ireland last June. We stand ready to consider any further requests that may be made to us, in the context of dealing with the very difficult situation now arising following the destruction of Moria refugee camp.
375. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of Exchequer-funded projects over €1 billion overseen by his Department; the expected rise in cost in both numerical amount and percentage terms in tabular form, and delays as result of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24310/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are no Exchequer funded projects over €1 billion currently overseen by the Department of Foreign Affairs.
376. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Defence the contributions by Ireland to PESCO since joining in 2017, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23305/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraPermanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) is a process under which groups of Member States can come together to develop capabilities in support of Common CSDP Operations. The objective of PESCO is to generate a coherent full spectrum of defence capabilities which will be available to Member States for national and multinational (EU, NATO, UN, etc.) missions and operations. This will enhance the EU’s capacity as an international security actor, contribute to the protection of EU citizens and maximise the effectiveness of defence spending by participating member States.
A table is provided below which details the PESCO Projects which Ireland participates in or is an observer.
To date no additional costs has been incurred through PESCO related activities other than costs associated with attendance by Defence Forces Subject Matter Experts at PESCO project planning meetings. The 'Upgrade of Maritime Surveillance' project which Ireland is a participant on is still evolving and the budgets and timeline for participant's involvement has not yet been fully determined. This may change as projects progress and capabilities are developed and acquired through the PESCO framework. However, it is expected that sharing the costs of capability development across a number of Member States should prove cost neutral in terms of overall projected defence expenditure.
PESCO Projects
|
Participant |
Observer |
|
1. Upgrade of Maritime Surveillance |
1. Deployable Military Disaster Relief Capability Package |
|
2. Centre of Excellence for EU Military Training Missions (to note this project terminated in February 2020 by agreement of all participants) |
2. Maritime (semi) Autonomous Systems for Mine Countermeasures |
|
|
3. Cyber Threats and Incident Response Information Sharing Platform |
|
|
4. European Secure Software defined Radio |
|
|
5. Military Mobility |
|
|
6. Energy Operational Function |
|
|
7. EU Radionavigation Solution |
|
|
8. Counter Unmanned Aerial System |
|
|
9. SOF Medical Training Centre |
377. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Defence the involvement by Ireland in EU Common Security and Defence Policy missions over the past five years in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23326/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) provides the EU with the capacity to undertake peacekeeping and conflict prevention missions and to strengthen international security in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter.
The EU is currently involved in 17 CSDP missions and operations, of these six are military, and 11 are civilian. Ireland is an active participant in both civilian and military CSDP Missions, with civilian deployments a matter for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Ireland currently deploys Defence Forces personnel to three UN mandated EU military missions and operations, comprising the EU Training Mission in Mali (EUTM Mali), Operation Althea in Bosnia-Herzegovina (EUFOR ALTHEA) and a maritime operation in the Eastern Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR MED IRINI). As at 4 September 2020, twelve (12) Defence Forces personnel were deployed to EUTM Mali, five (5) to EUFOR ALTHEA and three (3) to EUNAVFOR MED IRINI's Operational HQ in Rome.
Details of Common Security and Defence Policy Missions where Defence Forces personnel have served over the past five years (2015 to date) are set out below.
|
YEAR |
CSDP MISSION (all abbreviations outlined at end of document) |
Numbers serving as of 01 January each year |
|
2020 |
EUFOR Althea |
5 |
|
|
EUTM Mali |
19 |
|
|
Operation Sophia (Mission closed on 31 March 2020) |
3 in HQ |
|
|
Operation Irini (Mission commenced on the 1 April 2020) |
|
|
2019 |
EUFOR Althea |
5 |
|
|
EUTM Mali |
20 |
|
|
Operation Sophia |
3 in OHQ and 2 in FHQ |
|
2018 |
EUFOR Althea |
5 |
|
|
EUTM Mali |
20 |
|
|
Operation Sophia (Naval Service ship deployed April-Oct) |
3 in OHQ |
|
2017 |
EUFOR Althea |
7 |
|
|
EUTM Mali |
18 |
|
|
Operation Sophia (Naval Service ship deployed Oct-Dec with 3 HQ posts) |
|
|
2016 |
EUFOR Althea |
7 |
|
|
EUTM Mali |
9 |
|
2015 |
EUFOR Althea |
7 |
|
|
EUTM Mali |
10 |
Abbreviation (Explanation)
- EUFOR Althea (EU Military Operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina) - Launched in 2004 with an executive mandate to support the BiH authorities in maintaining a safe and secure environment and a non-executive mandate to support Bosnian Armed Forces in collective and combined training.
- EUTM Mali (EU Training Mission Mali) - Mission established in 2013 to strengthen the capabilities of the Malian Armed Forces through training advice and assistance in improving Mali's Military Education and Training System.
- Operation Irini (EU Naval Force Mediterranean Operation IRINI (EUNAVFOR Med) - Naval Operation which replaced Operation Sophia in April 2020 immediately following the closure of Operation Sophia with the primary task of contributing to preventing arms trafficking within its agreed Area of Operation.
- Operation Sophia (EU Naval Force Mediterranean Operation Sophia (EUNAVFOR Med) – Launched in 2015, the EU naval operation was tasked with contributing to disrupting the business model of human smugglers and trafficking networks, as part of a wider EU comprehensive approach, by denying them freedom of movement and neutralising their vessels and enabling assets.
378. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Defence the strength of the Permanent Defence Force as of 31 August 2020; the ranks across the three services and the gender breakdown of same in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23328/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra380. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Defence the number of additional recruits to the Permanent Defence Force to date in 2020 with regard to all three services; the gender breakdown of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23330/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 378 and 380 together.
The table below shows the strength of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) as at 31st July 2020, the latest date for which such data is available, broken down by rank, service and gender.
To date 147 personnel (9 female) were inducted into the Permanent Defence Force in 2020 which includes 10 (0 Female) re-enlisted personnel.
Of those inducted, 130 were General Service Recruits and the table below provides the requested breakdown of these Recruits.
|
- |
Total |
Male |
Female |
|
Army |
100 |
94 |
6 |
|
Navy |
30 |
27 |
3 |
|
Total |
130 |
121 |
9 |
Further inductions will take place in the coming months.
The Government remains committed to returning to, and maintaining the agreed strength of the Permanent Defence Force at 9,500 personnel and, while the capacity of the Defence Forces to induct and train recruits in 2020 was severely impacted by the COVID-19 situation, recruitment and inductions have resumed taking public health guidelines into account. A campaign to re-enlist former members of the Permanent Defence Force, to fill certain vacancies, is also underway.
The report of the Public Service Pay Commission (PSPC) of 2019 contains a range of recommendations aimed at improving recruitment and retention in the Defence Forces. A High Level Plan to give effect to the recommendations of the PSPC is currently being implemented.
The Programme for Government contains a range of commitments aimed at stabilising and restoring the strength of the Defence Forces. A Commission on the Defence Forces will be established and it is intended that on completion of the Commission's work, a permanent pay review body for the Defence Forces will be established.
379. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Defence the strength of the Reserve Defence Force as of 31 August 2020 in respect of all three services and all ranks; the gender breakdown of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23329/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Reserve Defence Force (RDF) is comprised of the First Line Reserve (FLR), the Army Reserve (AR) and the Naval Service Reserve (NSR).
The most up to date figures available for the effective strength of the Army Reserve (AR) and Naval Service Reserve (NSR), as of 31 July 2020, are set out below.
End of month returns are collated at the mid-month point of the following month and hence August 2020 returns are not available at this time.
381. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Defence the number of additional recruits to the Reserve Defence Force to date in 2020 in respect of all three services; the gender breakdown of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23331/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the military authorities that 58 new members have been inducted into the Army Reserve (AR) and Naval Service Reserve (NSR) from 1 January to 11 September 2020, broken down as follows:
While a recruitment campaign for the AR and NSR was opened in March 2020, the restrictions imposed in the interests of public health as a result of the Covid 19 Pandemic have had a significant impact on certain Defence Forces activities. As such, it has been difficult to conduct RDF inductions.
The Government remains committed to on-going recruitment in the AR and NSR. I am advised that, while there are no specific dates as of yet, it is anticipated that another recruitment campaign for the AR and NSR will be opened in autumn 2020.
382. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Defence if he will engage with an association (details supplied) to ensure the implementation of the high-level implementation plan as part of the Public Service Pay Commission recommendations from 2020, as promised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23516/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Report of the Public Service Pay Commission (PSPC) on Recruitment and Retention in the Defence Forces was published on the 4th of July 2019. The Report was accepted in full by Government and, to facilitate implementation, an extensive High Level Plan titled "Strengthening our Defence Forces – Phase One” was also agreed and published on the same date.
The PSPC report contains a broad range of recommendations which have provided immediate benefits to members of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) totalling some €10m, as well as initiatives that will lead to further improvements. Immediate benefits included a 10% increase in military service allowance; the restoration to pre-Haddington Road levels of certain specific Defence Forces allowances; the restoration of premium rates for certain weekend duties and the restoration of a service commitment scheme for Air Corps pilots.
The Report provides for an examination of pay structures in the PDF and the identification of other retention measures, which will be progressed within the framework of the Public Service Stability Agreement and future public sector pay negotiations.
The Report also contains a range of other recommendations including a review of recruitment methods, enhanced workforce planning, enhanced professional military education, bespoke leadership training, development of a mental health and wellbeing strategy, a review of barriers to extended participation in the PDF, the development of further non-pay retention measures and consideration of the provision of additional specialist posts in certain areas.
Work on implementing the recommendations has been ongoing within my Department since the implementation plan was published in July 2019. However, the Covid-19 emergency impacted project timeframes for many of the remaining projects. For some projects resources were necessarily reassigned to matters relating to the COVID-19 response. In other instances, there were challenges in terms of progressing projects via remote means and where other essential work necessarily took priority. However these challenges are being overcome and work on all of the outstanding projects has resumed. Projects are being progressed as quickly as is possible in the circumstances.
Since the launch of the High Level Implementation Plan, PDFORRA have had three briefing sessions provided by the Program Management Office on the status of projects under the plan.
The Representative Associations have also been invited to submit any material that they wish to be considered relating to any of the projects. I can confirm that my Department will fully engage with the Representative Associations on all matters that fall within the scope of representation, as and when Official side proposals are finalised.
