Matt Carthy
Ceist:207. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the status of the review of the conciliation and arbitration scheme for the PDF; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37484/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMonday, 11 September 2023
Ceisteanna (207)
Freagraí scríofa
The Conciliation & Arbitration (C&A) Scheme for the Permanent Defence Force is the mechanism for addressing industrial issues within the Defence sector. In line with the Irish model of Irish industrial relations, this 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 is in place since 2020, incorporating the recommendations of an independent review of the scheme. An independent Chair of Conciliation Council, which the Permanent Defence Force Representative Associations had sought as a key outcome from the review, was appointed in March 2020.
A review of the Scheme is currently being undertaken by the current Independent Chair of the Conciliation Council of the C&A Scheme. This was mutually agreed by all parties to the Scheme. Individual submissions have been sought and received by the Chair from all parties to the Scheme, and discussions between the Chair and the individual parties, on foot of those discussions, have been held. There will be a plenary session of all parties in Q3 2023, after which it would be hoped to conclude the Review of the Scheme as soon as possible thereafter.