Defence Forces

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 February 2024

Tuesday, 13 February 2024

Ceisteanna (174)

Matt Carthy

Ceist:

174. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the rational and basis upon which he intends to place restrictions on Defence Forces representative associations through the Defence Forces Amendment Bill 2023; his views on the prohibition of representative associations from making public statements or commenting concerning political matters; his intended definition of ‘political matter’ within the Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6032/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Defence

The proposals set out in the General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2023, to prohibit the Defence Force Representative Associations from making a public statement or comment concerning a political matter, is already provided for in Regulation, namely the Defence Force Regulation (DFR) S.6, which states that “No public statement or comment concerning a political matter shall be made by the Association”. This position was also confirmed as part of the terms of the 2022 High Court settlement with the Representative Associations in connection with temporary associate membership of ICTU.

It is important to note that Representative Associations are entitled to comment on the impact that a particular policy is having on its members. Under Defence Forces Regulation DFR S.6, regulation 27 (2), a Representative Association can comment on all matters that fall within the scope of representation of the Association, as set out in the Third Schedule to these regulations. This will not be altered by the Defence (Amendment) Bill.