Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

No. The association will not be spancelled regarding what it has been doing up to now, namely, representing its members. That activity will not be stymied or undermined by this legislation. An idea has been put forward that the body will not be able to advocate. I have made the position clear in amendments we have made already and also in my communication with the associations. They will have every right to represent their members' interests, as is the case through conciliation and arbitration and regularly in meetings with me and the committee. The regulations have already been made under the existing Defence Acts. The wording is, "No public statement or comment concerning a political matter shall be made by the Association."