Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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43. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans to recognise the representative bodies for Defence Forces personnel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32595/17]

Gino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance)
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63. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans to meet with PDFORRA; his views on the right of the Defence Forces to have a representative body to discuss issues such as low pay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32597/17]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 43 and 63 together.

The Defence (Amendment) Act 1990 and Defence Force Regulations (DFR) provide for the establishment of representative associations for members of the Permanent Defence Force. The associations that have since been established are RACO (for commissioned officers) and PDFORRA (for enlisted personnel).

A Scheme of Conciliation and Arbitration (C&A) for members of the Permanent Defence Force was established in 1993 and provides a formal mechanism for the Defence Forces representative associations. The purpose of the scheme is to provide a means for the determination of claims and proposals from the Associations relating to remuneration and conditions of service.

Having regard to commitments made under pay agreements, members of the Permanent Defence Force can make representations in relation to their pay and conditions of service through their representative bodies, PDFORRA and RACO. Where agreement is not reached it is open to both official and representative sides to refer the matter to an adjudicator or an arbitration Board to settle the matter.

In addition, a framework exists which facilitates the Associations engaging with the official side in talks parallel to those taking place between ICTU and the official side at National level.

Both RACO and PDFORRA participated at the recent negotiations on an extension to the Lansdowne Road Agreement. The Permanent Defence Force Representative Associations attended the plenary sessions which were attended by public sector trade unions, representative associations and management. Sectoral meetings, chaired by officials from the WRC, were also held between management and the representative associations.

The proposals arising from these negotiations are contained within the Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020. The proposals have been presented to both PDFORRA and RACO. They will now be subject to ballot by members of the Associations. It is intended that futureremuneration of Defence Forces personnel will continue to be dealt with within this process.

I have met with PDFORRA and RACO in the past and attended the PDFORRA Annual Delegate Conference last year. I am also due to meet with the Representative Associations later this week.

Officials from my Department continue to work with the Representative Associations in a positive and collaborative process within the C&A Scheme to resolve issues.