Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South-Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

This has been a really useful engagement. A number of committee members were keen to hear from RACO because there was a need for the discussion on this legislation to be broader than simply the triple lock because it has significant implications. I will take this opportunity to thank our guests and their members for their service. I also want to thank retired members of the Defence Forces for their service during peacekeeping missions. It is appropriate to recognise that RACO represents people who are currently on peacekeeping missions and who have been on them in the past, and to thank its members for their contribution and service to the State, to the UN and to peace internationally.

The lack of consultation, as a number of members have said, is quite extraordinary given that there is such a well established mechanism there. It is particularly concerning to hear that the conciliation and arbitration section within the Department is not as central to these issues as it should be. That is very concerning. This is an issue that is raised consistently. Are there other examples that are relevant? I know there is a service commitment scheme for air traffic control, for example. Was RACO consulted on that? Are there other areas that might require similar initiatives on which RACO needs to be consulted?