Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will not comment on any legal cases before the courts. It would be improper of me to make any comment on any cases.

Under the terms of the Defence (Amendment) Act 1994, Defence Forces representative associations are prohibited from being associated with or affiliated to any trade union or any other body without the consent of the Minister of State. Accordingly, the representative associations PDFORRA and RACOcannot be affiliated to ICTU. The basis of the prohibition is that it would be inappropriate to apply the provisions of the Industrial Relations Act 1992 to members of the Defence Forces. The taking of any form of industrial action would be irreconcilable within the military service. This is a long-standing policy position that has been taken by respective Governments since the foundation of the State. Defence forces may be called to contribute to maintaining vital services in times of industrial action, as we saw last week

As I said in my original reply, in light of PDFORRA's representation this matter will be kept under constant review in the context of the arrangements to be made for An Garda Síochána.

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