The Minister for Defence, Mr O'Dea has warned the Defence Forces' public representative body PDFORRA against lobbying politicians, because it breached agreements and would do nothing to advance their claims.
His concerns were voiced in the Dáil when Government backbencher Mr Billy Kelleher (FF, Cork North-Central) highlighted the unease of enlisted Naval Service personnel about the lack of a "cohesive debate" with senior management. Mr Kelleher said he was aware that it was "sometimes frowned upon" for Defence Force members to go to TDs to air their grievances.
But he pointed out that major changes were being made without discussion with enlisted personnel. "Changes in the structure, the amount of time that must be spent at sea, the amount of time available when they come back from sea to recuperate and be involved in family life, are made without consultation."
Most people represented by PDFORRA "have no difficulty in improving efficiency and productivity levels". However, "the management and the Department of Defence must acknowledge that co-operation is a two-way street. To date it has not been that," said the TD, in whose constituency the Haulbowline naval base is located. The Minister for Education, Ms Hanafin, speaking for Mr O'Dea, said, however, that "the Minister is not aware of any particular issues arising. Were there any issues he would have expected PDFORRA to use any of the fora available to them to have them addressed."
Ms Hanafin added: "The Minister has asked me to say that he would be very concerned if PDFORRA has decided to embark on a course of lobbying of public representatives on issues.
"He is very surprised at this course of action in light of the fact that the issue has not been raised under the formal machinery in place for dealing with such matters.
"Indeed embarking on such a campaign is in breach of the terms of the conciliation and arbitration scheme and the Minister is of the view that it will do nothing to advance the consideration of this or any other claim." Speaking on the adjournment issue, Ms Hanafin said that the Minister "asks that the Naval Service use the services and facilities that are available".
She added that the system of representation introduced in the 1990s provided a conciliation and arbitration scheme and a military forum, either could be used by PDFORRA. "I understand that Naval Service issues are a standing item on the agenda for the military forum and a meeting is scheduled for next Monday."
