Lisa Chambers (Mayo, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I think I might have beaten the Minister of State to it in informing the House of Mr. Barry's appointment. Nevertheless, I welcome the progress on this issue. When the Minister of State, Deputy Kehoe, was asked about this on "Prime Time", he said he did not think that it would be independent if we had RACO and PDFORRA sitting around the table. I am glad that he has moved from that position and that he now recognises that both representative organisations need to be present. I am glad that they are present. I welcome the appointment of Mr. Barry to the position of chair and I wish him well in his work.

The Minister of State is overstating the success of the current system that is in place. It has proved very challenging for the members serving in the Defence Forces. While the Minister of State now says that he considers it timely and appropriate to conduct a review of the conciliation and arbitration scheme, I put it to him that he only considers it such because he has been put under severe pressure by myself and others, and the representative associations, to carry out that review. Will the Minister of State confirm when the review will actually start? If is to conclude within six months from the start date, when is that start date?

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