Brendan Ryan (Dublin Fingal, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 2:

To insert the following after “reaches its establishment strength of 4,069;”:“acknowledges:

— that the Government intends to introduce legislation to provide access for the Garda Associations to the Workplace Relations Commission and the Labour Court;

— that the agreement on 11th November, 2016, through an independent adjudicator, that crews serving in Operation Pontus in the Mediterranean should be paid the armed allowance of €15 per day;

— that over 20 per cent of enlisted personnel in our Defence Forces are in receipt of Family Income Supplement;

— the ongoing concerns of personnel and their families due to the continued use of Lariam, and the lack of proper support and after care services for members, and fears over the impact of any mental health side-effects from Lariam on their career if noted on their medical records; and

— the impact of the restructuring of the Defence Forces Brigades from three to two, and the additional travel and other costs this has placed on soldiers; and

further calls for:

— legislation to provide staff representative associations in our Defence Forces, including PDForra with access to the Workplace Relations Commission and the Labour Court;

— a review of the terms and conditions of staff in our Defence Forces separate to the ongoing analysis of the Public Service Pay Commission, with a particular focus on enlisted personnel, to ensure that members can pursue a rewarding and sustainable career that acknowledges the costs of serving, and gives due regard to their service, and the dangers and risks they face on our behalf;

— all payments due to those who served in Operation Pontus to be paid immediately; and

— an independent outside medical review of the continued use of Lariam.”

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