Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Socialist Party)
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372. To ask the Minister for Defence the measures being taken to ensure that matters taken to the Defence Forces conciliation arbitration scheme are dealt with in a timely manner; and his views on the matter. [1465/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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All matters taken to the Conciliation & Arbitration Scheme for the Permanent Defence Force, be they lodged by the Representative Side or by the Official Side, are dealt with in as timely a manner as is possible. Matters lodged at Conciliation Council or discussed at Sub-committees of Council are items for consideration which may be agreed or disagreed in accordance with the Scheme rules. They are fully discussed in Council or Sub-committee with a view to seeking agreement through negotiation.

Agreement was reached with the both Representative Associations for the Permanent Defence Force, RACO and PDFORRA for an extension to the Public Service Agreement 2010-2014.

The Associations committed that “no cost increasing claims by trade unions or employees or improvements in pay or conditions of employment will be made or processed during the currency of the Agreement”. Other sectoral productivity measures are being facilitated by the Public Service Agreement and these are being progressed through the Defence Forces Conciliation Council Arbitration Scheme in accordance with centrally agreed timeframes.