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DAIL DEBATE
Naval Service
DÁIL ÉIREANN
Mr. Kelleher: I thank the Office of the Ceann Comhairle for allowing me to raise this issue. It relates to the problems experienced by members of PDFORRA, enlisted members of the Defence Forces, in airing their concerns to senior management in the Naval Service and the Defence Forces and right through to the Department of Defence. I represent a constituency that has a major naval base in Haulbowline and am aware that it is sometimes frowned upon for members of the Defence Forces, the Naval Service in this case, to come to me to air their grievances. However, if the mechanisms requested by PDFORRA and agreed upon by senior management were functioning properly, I would not be in this Chamber raising this issue. The reason I am is because PDFORRA's views and the concerns it has raised regarding sea days, impacts on family life and many other issues have not been addressed and no cohesive debate is taking place in the Naval Service between management and PDFORRA to address the concerns of ordinary members of the Defence Forces. Individuals highlighted their concerns to me as a person who acknowledges the work done by the Defence Forces, particularly the Naval Service, and the huge strides made to achieve efficiency and bring forward the implementation plan. The five-year plan is moving to its final year in 2005. An agreed conciliation and arbitration process was set up so that ordinary enlisted men could air their grievances and concerns. However, there are still difficulties. Most of the people involved in the Naval Service who are represented by PDFORRA have no difficulty in improving efficiency and productivity levels. However, the consultation process has not been as effective as initially expected. That is an indication of the problems I am trying to highlight. We all accept that the Navy must go to sea and that it must stay at sea. Every member of PDFORRA accepts that. However, huge sacrifices are being made. Changes in the structures, the amount of time that must be spent at sea and the amount of time available when they come back from sea to recuperate and be involved in family life are made without consultation. The basic fabric and structures of what we would consider to be ordinary everyday living are not comparable when dealing with people in the Naval Service. They join the service in that knowledge. However, their concerns should be listened to. It is disappointing that, having set up a process for the enlisted men and women, it has not functioned to the standards envisaged. There is a strong maritime tradition in Cork . The members of the Defence Forces in the Naval Service are committed to productivity and want to see the Navy fly the flag. Equally, the management and the Department of Defence must acknowledge that co-operation is a two-way street. To date it has not been that. In the broader context, the Naval Service has performed its duties admirably, not only in protecting our fisheries but in transporting troops to various conflict areas throughout the world and taking our flagship right across the world to Hong Kong , China and elsewhere. It is an important factor in Ireland 's commitment to the UN. However, There are major problems regarding consultation, negotiations and basic discussion between management and the members of PDFORRA on the issue of bringing about the efficiencies and productivity outlined in the five-year plan. |