An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir November 2017 www.dfmagazine.ie 18 | By SGt WAynE FItzGERAlD PhotoS By SGt MICK BuRKE O n the 3rd of october, over 200 PD- FoRRA representatives gathered in the Slieve Russell hotel, Cavan, for their annual delegate conference. Outgoing president, Mark Scally, got proceedings underway, introducing the new general secretary, Gerard Guinan, and assistant general secretary, Martin Bright. President candidate, Assistant Vice President Mark Keane, then addressed the conference, saying, if elected, his four pri- orities would be pay restoration, pensions, holiday leave, and medical care. Donagh Maguire then spoke on his nomination as vice president. "I've been a member of PDFORRA since the start," he said. "We need to go back to grassroots; as an association, we need to let our members know their opinions count." Minister with Responsibility for Defence Mr Paul Kehoe TD then spoke, saying it was a great honour to be invited to address the conference, and congratulating PDFORRA's new officers on their appointments. "As minister with responsibility for de- fence," he continued, "I meet your members on the ground regularly and I want to stress the government's appreciation for their commitment at home and abroad." Minister Kehoe said, "The government is committed to improving the pay of all pub- lic servants through the implementation of the Lansdowne Road Agreement. Following PDFORRA signing up to this agreement your members have received backdated pay- ments over the last few months." The Minister urged PDFORRA members to vote for the Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020, telling delegates, "This will allow your members to receive the first phase of pay increases of 1% on 1 January and to avail of subsequent pay increases, ranging from 5.75% to 7.25%, over the lifetime of the agreement." Other points the minister addressed included: maintaining the strength of the PDF at 9,500; initiating 300 NCO promotions; bringing the Defence Forces within the Working Time Act 1997; reviewing the Conciliation and Arbitra- tion scheme; and a broader review of contracts for enlisted personnel. On equipment, the minister announced a major upgrade to the Mowag APC fleet; the arrival of new NS vessel, LÉ George Ber- nard Shaw, in mid-2018; and the replace- ment of the Air Corps' Cessnas and CASAs. The Minister concluded, "There is no quick fix on all these issues, but I'm willing to work with you for the betterment of your organisation." General Secretary Guinan then began his maiden speech, saying that the current C&A scheme is not working, and that pay talks must be addressed urgently as it is having a negative effect on personnel, with 30% leaving in the last five years. He went on to say that the failure to implement the Working Time Act 1997 has adversely affected PDFORRA members. The general secretary finished by thank- ing the office staff, and PDFORRA's local representatives for their hard work. Chief of Staff Vice Admiral Mark Mellett DSM then addressed delegates. "The Defence Forces must be a place where soldiers, sailors and aircrew feel that they belong," he said; "that they can make a living, and have the opportu- nity to grow, personally and professionally." In relation to the concerns highlighted in the climate survey, the COS said, "All our issues will not be solved overnight, but I can assure you that I am committed to progressing all matters in a timely manner." He said he looked forward to working with PDFORRA to ensure, "that we can pass on our legacy on to the next generation of Óglaigh na hÉireann." Outgoing president Mark Scally, who was last to the podium, agreed that the climate survey showed many underly- ing problems with the DF, stemming, he said, from the last re-org, which "severely affected members and their families, and even changed communities." Criticising the decision to disband units, he said the ef- fects "are still being felt today, and the cost of commuting is one of the main reasons personnel are leaving." He also said PDFORRA wanted the DF/ DoD to put funding in place to assist with the training and education of the many personnel from the lower ranks who are discharged after years of loyal service with no qualifications for civilian life. Finally, af ter requesting that the DF Ombudsman be restored to a full-time position to deal with the backlog of redresses and complaints, Mark finished by thanking all the delegates and local representatives. New General Secretary Gerard Guinan Minister with Responsibility for Defence Mr Paul Kehoe TD Outgoing president Mark Scally

• Cover