An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir November 2016 www.dfmagazine.ie 24 | PDFoRRA, which is celebrating its 25th year, held its annual delegate conference in the Radisson Blu hotel, Cork, from 4th- 6th october. In attendance was Minister of State for Defence Paul Ke- hoe TD; Chief of Staff Vice Admiral Mark Mellett DSM; ACOS Brig Gen Peter O'Halloran; and military and civilian guests from DFHQ and the DoD. In a press release prior to the opening of the conference, PDFORRA General Secretary Gerry Rooney addressed the Larium issue, which said: 'We are surprised and somewhat concerned that the advice of UN medical experts is being ignored on the use of Larium. On all the United Nations peace-support missions in Africa that Irish troops have served on in recent years, Lariam has been, and remains, the main anti-malaria drug distributed. It is a controversial drug which is well recognised as having severe side effects that affect a significant number of those who take it. While many who take it do not suffer side effects, it has a bad reputation that means most of those who are scheduled to take it would rather not. However, the fact remains it is very effective and efficient at ensuring those who take it do not develop ma- laria, which of course is a most serious condition.' There was quite an angry mood at the conference, and some of the delegates' frustration was clearly visible as they heckled speakers from the floor. Deputy General Secretary Gerard Guinan spoke to the delegates on current negotiations with the department on items including a review of security duty allowance; the Working Time Act 1997; a claim for carry-over leave for 106 and 108 Inf Bns, as a result of travelling overseas without availing of annual leave; a review of marriage, annual and sick leave, with 28 days annual leave based on a five-day not a seven-day working week; a claim for a national minimum wage relating to the Working Time Act; subsistence, ARW, and border duty allowances; technical pay; and rations and accommodation. Gerard took many questions from the floor to do with the Working Time Directive and Working Time Act and the de- lay in getting an answer from the DoD. (PDFORRA say they have been waiting since 2010 for an answer). Many delegates expressed their frustration on the length of time some of these negotiations and claims were taking. Gerard quoted former PDFORRA President John Lucy (RIP) who said the Defence Forces ethos was being used against us. Finishing on his own frustration he said: "I trust the people across the table to work hard on these issues…but if that trust is lost it's hard to get back, and I'm close to losing that trust." Minister Kehoe addressed the delegates, stating he was deeply honoured that the Taoiseach had devolved full responsibility for defence to him. He then paid tribute to the members of Defence Forces, acknowledging their high profile throughout the 1916 celebrations and thanking them for their contribution and for "lending honour, dignity and respect to all the commemorative ceremonies this year". Turning to the issue of pay, Minister Kehoe said: "I am committed to ensuring that members of the PDF are fully recompensed, fairly and transparently, in the same manner as the members of all other associations who have signed up to the Landsdown Road Agreement (LRA). While I understand that your association has not to date signed up to the LRA, I cannot stress enough the need to sign up to the agreement so as to avail of its protections and the programmed restora- 25 Years of representation By SGT WAYNE FITZGERALD PhoToS By SGT MICK BuRKE PDFORRA Conference 2016 Minister Kehoe addressing the congress. PDFORRA General Secretary Gerry Rooney.

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