Lisa Chambers (Mayo, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It appears that other sectors engaged and were able to conclude side deals that benefited them more than the defence sector. It is clear to me from media reports that the representative associations are not happy with the way the pay talks went and do not feel their concerns have been adequately addressed. RACO has stated that these side deals, in addition to a range of additional deals secured by those unions and associations which either took or threatened industrial action or whose sectoral management negotiated added benefits to accept the Lansdowne Road agreement, undoubtedly have secured greater pay advantages relative to those serving in the Defence Forces. That is unacceptable. Everyone should be on the same level playing field. The Defence Forces feel they are not getting the same hearing and level of commitment to having their concerns heard. When we see other sectors getting additional side deals and the defence sector not doing so, one has to ask if this is fair.

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