Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

With great respect to my distinguished colleague, Senator Craughwell, who has a proud record as president of the TUI and so forth, which we recognise, if I understand the legislation and the Tánaiste's explanation of it properly, members of representative bodies can comment, act and discuss with the Government and within their organisation properly on issues that concern them. Such issues include housing and their welfare issues. It should be recognised that it is a huge advance that they will be part of the bargaining process and be there in a representative capacity. That is a great advance that RACO and PDFORRA have been seeking for a long time and I welcome it.

However, if they are able to stray, as the Tánaiste alluded to, we could have a very risky situation where they might comment on middle eastern affairs while we have people serving there. However, if they can comment within their sphere of influence or relevant sphere for the welfare of their members and on matters pertaining to the welfare of their members, no one in the Defence Forces or in the wider community wants them to have any further capacity. No one wants the representative bodies to have a political function beyond their representative role. That is a reasonable proposition.

Going back to the words of Kevin O'Higgins, it is important that people in uniform serving the State are completely independent of party politics and particular stances that could be interpreted. It is great that they will be able to take part in the negotiation process and speak on all areas. I am glad the Tánaiste said they will be able to speak about housing as it is relevant to their welfare and about other matters that pertain to their welfare on a day-to-day basis and to the overall good of the Defence Forces. I do not see why they should be able to hypothetically comment on agricultural affairs or anything outside that. What would the use of that be anyway? We would potentially stray into party politics and certainly non-objectivity in cases.