An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir November 2018 www.dfmagazine.ie 24 | BY SGT WAYNE FITZGERALD PHOTOS SGT MICHAEL BURKE T he Permanent Defence Forces Other Ranks Representative As- sociation (PDFORRA), which represents 6,500 soldiers, sailors and air crew, held its 27th Annual Delegate Conference (ADC) from 2nd to 4th October in Castlebar, Co Mayo. Vice President Donagh Ma- guire welcomed the almost 100 delegates to the ADC, which is PDFORRA's primary policy-making forum, and outlined the topics that would be discussed during the conference. The ADC was then ad- dressed by Ms Patricia King, general secretary of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU), which represents and campaigns on behalf of some 832,000 workers. Ms King spoke about ICTU's efforts on behalf of low-paid workers, and also said that the government would have "nothing to lose" in allowing PDFORRA to join ICTU. Ms King's address received a warm round of ap- plause from the conference. PDFORRA General Secre- tary Gerard Guinan then took to the podium and spoke about pay and allowances, the EU Working Time Direc- tive, working conditions, the diminution of medical ser- vices, and the ever-increasing workload of members of the Defence Forces. Chief of Staff Vice Admi- ral Mark Mellett DSM then addressed the conference, speaking about the unique- ness of the military profes- sion, the Defence Forces' loyalty to the Constitution, and our personnel's willingness to "head towards danger" when duty requires. The COS acknowledged the work of PDFORRA and its efforts in representing its members. He said it was clear to him, after visits to Defence Forces loca- tions at home and abroad, that pay is the number one concern. He also mentioned the Central Statistics Office (CSO) claim that the Defence Forces were the lowest paid in the public sector. "We all want a thriving Defence Forces where people feel valued," he said before telling conference that although pay is not in the remit of the COS, he has advocat- ed on our behalf to the Dept of Defence and to the Public Sector Pay Commission, that he will con- tinue to do so, and that he would like the opportunity to address the Commission in person. PDFORRA President Mark Keane then took to the podium to deliver his Conciliation and Arbitration (C&A) Report, speaking about adjudicated reports and giving a synopsis of claims currently under discussion. General Secretary Guinan then spoke about the Pay and Industrial Relations Report, which included the Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020, complaints under articles 5 and 6 of the European Social Charter, a review of the NCO promotion system and criteria for sergeant rank and above, the Working Time Directive, and PDFORRA's submission to the Public Sector Pay Commission. Deputy General Secretary Martin Bright then went through the Council and DFHQ Forum report before PDFORRA Health & Safety Officer Ray McKenna gave his report, which included topics such as Portlaoise Prison, 'blue light' driving conditions, the proposed incinerator in Ringaskiddy, body armour, driver fatigue, and many more. National Support Officer Damien Quigley's report followed, which mainly addressed welfare issues, including Budget 2018 and the USC, Family Income Supplement (now called Working Family Payment), and the PDFORRA Medical Assistance Scheme (PMAS), which assists members in accessing treatment under the EU Cross Border Healthcare Directive. Invited as a guest to discuss the scheme, HSE General Manager Catherine Donoghue congratulated PDFORRA for being "way ahead" on this initiative. She also gave advice on medical tour- ism companies, travel insurance and the EHIC card (formally E111), which gives access to emergency treatment anywhere in the EU. Minister with Responsibility for Defence Mr Paul Keogh TD spoke on the second day of the conference. He acknowledged that there are pay issues and mentioned the 1% PSSA payment in that regard. The minister apologised for the delay in the rotation of 57 and 58 Inf Gps and said he had phoned OC 57 Inf Gp to apologise per- sonally and offer a €1,000 gratuity to the 119 members of the unit. He also extended his apology to the families of those affected. There were over 50 motions up for discussion over the remainder of the ADC, with over 75% of them relating to the Naval Service. It was a very busy con- ference with emotions running high at times as delegates spoke up on behalf of themselves, their colleagues and those at the coalface of the Defence Forces. Ms Patricia King, general secretary of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU). PDFORRA General Secretary Gerard Guinan speaking about pay and allowances. Chief of Staff Vice Admiral Mark Mellett DSM addressing the conference. PDFORRA President Mark Keane speaking about his Conciliation and Arbitration (C&A) Report. Minister with Responsibility for Defence Mr Paul Keogh TD addressing the conference.

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