Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 February 2023
20. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if has met with the representative organisations from the permanent Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5044/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have not yet had the opportunity to meet with the Representative Associations for the Defence Forces, namely PDFORRA and RACO since taking up the role of Minister for Defence on 17 December 2022.However I did speak with both organisations soon after I was appointed . I look forward to meeting and engaging with the Representative Associations, in due course, on matters that fall within the scope of representation.
I would also like to add that both RACO and PDFORRA have access to ongoing mechanisms for addressing concerns regarding their members pay and conditions.
Officials in my Department regularly engage with the Representative Associations on matters within the scope of representation via the Conciliation and Arbitration Scheme for members of the Permanent Defence Force.
This is the key avenue available for the Representative Associations to raise matters of concern to their members with my Department.
As the Deputy may be aware, the Conciliation & Arbitration Scheme is the mechanism for addressing industrial issues within the Defence sector.
In line with the Irish model of industrial relations, it is a voluntary mechanism which provides structures for management and staff to engage on collective issues that may arise. These structures have helped to maintain positive industrial relations in the sector over a number of years.
A revised Conciliation and Arbitration scheme for members of the Permanent Defence Force is in place since 2020. An independent Chair of Conciliation Council, which the Permanent Defence Force representative associations had sought as a key outcome of this review, was appointed in March 2020.
A review of the revised Scheme, which is now three years in operation, is scheduled to commence shortly.
