Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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849. To ask the Minister for Defence if he will report on his attendance at the PDFORRA conference; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46320/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Last month, I accepted the invitation extended to me by PDFORRA's National Executive to attend their twenty second Annual Delegate Conference, held this year in Wexford. While there, I addressed delegates on a wide range of issues. These included the preparation of the new White Paper on Defence; the significant reorganisational reforms over the last twelve months; the participation of PDFORRA in the Haddington Road Agreement negotiations; investment in new equipment and the broader international context in which Ireland’s Defence policy sits. The Delegates responded positively to my address and extended to me and my officials every courtesy while in attendance at Conference. I also heard the issues and concerns of PDFORRA, as expressed by their General Secretary in his address to Conference. I left the PDFORRA Conference greatly heartened by the constructive attitude shown by the Association, its President, Executive and General Officers. I look forward to the continued positive and constructive engagement of PDFORRA, on behalf of their members.