Mr. Conor King:

There is a trend we have observed whereby representation has been somewhat sidelined, so we would agree. We look at the oversight body and the stripping away of the rights of certain members of our association, which would not be tolerated anywhere else. We look at our conciliation and arbitration scheme not having an adjudicator or an arbitration board in place. We look at adjudications, when we do eventually get to an adjudicator, being completely ignored through the abuse of a dominant position. The conciliation and arbitration scheme is under review, and some of the provisions that have been suggested by the official side seek to completely narrow it down to have fewer meetings and to have sanction, for example. This has been successfully pushed back against, but it was very instructive and insightful as to where certain people would like to see representation in the Defence Forces go. We fundamentally believe, to echo Mr. Guinan's comments, that if we do not have strong, constructive, effective representation in the Defence Forces, or in any armed service or disciplined uniform force, nature abhors a vacuum. We are best placed to voice the concerns of our members in a reasonable and constructive way that can only be good for our democracy.