Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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Question 15: To ask the Minister for Defence if he will provide an update on any recent discussions he has had with Defence Forces representative organisations. [14018/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The most recent discussions I had with Defence Forces representative associations was on December the 12th last when he met with both the Representative Association of Commissioned Officers (RACO) and the Permanent Defence Force Other Ranks Representative Association (PDFORRA) at separate meetings. At these meetings on the 12th of December the Representative Associations raised a number of issues of concern to their members, these included barrack closures, promotion, recruitment and the reorganisation of the Defence Forces. At these meetings I outlined the very difficult decisions facing the Government in the context of the extremely adverse economic and financial environment facing the country. I assured the Representative Associations that he was committed to maintaining the essential capabilities of the Defence Forces within the resource envelope available and acknowledged their contribution to secure economic recovery and renewal under the Public Service Agreement 2010 - 2014.

I am satisfied that there are sufficient and robust systems in place within the Defence Organisation to ensure that issues of concern to members of the Defence Forces are brought to his attention, as appropriate.