Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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274. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will allow members of the Defence Forces to join trade unions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22262/17]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Under the terms of the Defence (Amendment) Act, 1990 the Defence Forces Representative Associations are prohibited from being associated with, or affiliated to any trade unions, or any other body without the consent of the Minister.

The basis for the prohibition is that it would be inappropriate to apply the provisions of the Industrial Relations Act, 1990 to members of the Defence Forces. The taking of any form of industrial action is irreconcilable with military service. This is a long standing policy position taken by respective Governments since the foundation of the State.