Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy understands this originally came from the European Committee of Social Rights. As I have stated, my officials are engaging with the ICTU. I will await the outcome of that engagement. The Deputy is right that a motion was passed in the Dáil. It was a Fianna Fáil Private Members' motion, in which Fianna Fáil, with the support of Sinn Féin and the Labour Party, called for PDFORRA to be given the right to have representation through the ICTU. The motion was supported by the Opposition and tabled by Deputy Jack Chambers.

When Mr. Gerard Barry was looking at the review of the conciliation and arbitration scheme, as part of the terms of reference, I included the question about the ICTU that had come from the European Committee of Social Rights to ascertain how the Defence Forces representation arrangements and pay determination system compared in an international context. I asked him to look at that matter. The recommendation was that there be engagement with the ICTU, the Department of Defence and military management. That engagement has been ongoing and I am waiting for the report to come back to me. I will consider it. I will also consider and take into account all of the concerns of any association or individual when I am making the decision.

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