Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity)
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8. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence further to the promise of his colleague the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation to publish in this term the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Bill which will afford enhanced representative rights to the Garda Representative Association, if a similar Bill that will bestow equivalent rights to PDFORRA and RACO will be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3352/18]

Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity)
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Deputy Wallace said the country was not going to be invaded and the Minister has welcomed that. It is just as well, given that only six of the eight ships the Navy has are capable of going out to sea at any one time because of staff shortages.

Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy is reverting to an earlier question. He should concentrate on this question as he only has 12 seconds remaining in which to ask it.

Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity)
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Will the Minister bring forward a Bill which will bestow rights to PDFORRA and RACO equivalent to the rights about to be conferred on the Garda Representative Association?

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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I have told the Deputy from whom I got my information, namely, the flag officer commanding of the Naval Service. Perhaps the Deputy will tell me from where he got his information. I might be able to go and educate that person and tell him exactly how many ships we have operating.

Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I am serious about the two minutes.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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The proposed legislation to which the Deputy refers arises from recommendations contained in the first report of the working group on industrial relations structures for an Garda Síochána. It is not proposed at this stage to make similar legislative provisions in respect of the Defence Forces.

I have initiated a review of the conciliation and arbitration scheme for members of the Permanent Defence Force. The scheme, since its inception in the early 1990s, has provided the framework to progress many successful negotiated agreements between defence management and the Permanent Defence Force representative associations.

There have been many changes in the industrial relations landscape in the intervening period. I consider it timely and appropriate to conduct a fundamental review of the scheme to ensure that it remains efficient and effective to all parties.

As I stated earlier in reply to Deputy Lisa Chambers, I have appointed Mr. Gerard Barry as an independent chairperson for the review. The chairperson will seek input from the Department of Defence, the Defence Forces, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, PDFORRA and RACO. There will also be wider consultation with relevant stakeholders.

While the focus of the review will be primarily on the operation of the Permanent Defence Force conciliation and arbitration scheme, as part of the review consideration will be given as to how the scheme operates, having regard to other redress and dispute resolution processes within the Defence Forces. Broader public sector pay negotiation processes and agreements must also be taken into consideration.

The review will also consider the complaint taken by EUROMIL on behalf of PDFORRA concerning certain trade union rights for military representative associations. I understand that a decision in this case is imminent.

I have directed that the chairperson provide a report to me no later than six months from the start of the review.

It would be premature at this stage to make arrangements for legislative changes concerning Permanent Defence Force representative associations in advance of the completion of the report.

Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity)
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As regards my source for the six ships, the Minister of State can read between the lines when I say that I talk to the ranks. On the issue of union rights for members of our Defence Forces, the Minister of State says that a court ruling is expected soon. I believe 12 February is the date in that regard. When the Defence Forces organisations win their case, as I am confident they will, are they going to have to wait for two years, as the Garda organisations had to do, before we get the merest hint of legislation? As the Minister of State knows, such are the dire conditions being endured by members of our Defence Forces, about which their organisations are prevented from fully agitating, that every week of resistance on the Government's side is adding to the real hardship of thousands of personnel and their families.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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I speak to the ranks as well. They are probably the most important people within the organisation because they are the people on the ground. If the Deputy wants to pass on my details, I will talk to that member of the ranks as well.

It would be totally inappropriate of me to expect the outcome of the conciliation and arbitration scheme or any legislative changes that may be required. The Deputy spoke about the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Bill. That is a matter for the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Humphreys. If the Deputy submits a parliamentary question to the Minister's Department for written or oral reply, I have no doubt that she will give him a full and comprehensive response.

I have asked that the review be concluded within six months. I will then consider its findings. I have left the terms of reference of the review very broad so that both representative associations will be very much involved in the review.