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Speech at the PDForra 31st Anniversary Dinner
Gleneagle Hotel, Killarney, 6th October, 2021
Oifigigh agus ionadaithe baill de PDFORRA. Lig dom ar an gcéad dul síos mo bhuíochas a glacadh libh as ucht bhur gcuireadh bheith libh ar an ócáid seo ar chríoch bhur gcomhdháil.
Officers and delegates of PDFORRA, I am delighted to join you all here this evening at the banquet of your annual conference. PDFORRA is an organisation that has, for 31 years, been a tireless advocate for the rights and welfare of our Defence Forces members. As I have just said in Irish I want to begin by thanking your Vice President Donogh Maguire for inviting me, in my capacity as Supreme Commander of the Defence Forces, to take part in this occasion, and all of you for the generous welcome you have extended to me this evening.
In that capacity as Supreme Commander of the Defence Forces I welcome the members of the Defence Forces having representation with regard to the decisions that affect them and their loved ones. The movements and organisations that have sought and given representation to workers have a long and indeed difficult history, one that required courage, one which has witnessed lengthy and often harsh struggles in pursuit of basic rights. Some of those struggles and confrontations have ended in devastating defeats, others in landmark victories. The Trade Union movement’s role in Irish society, too often downplayed in the dominant historiography, has been generous and broad reaching, extending back to being the most enlightened and far seeing part of our long fought battle for independence and outwards towards the right to dignity of citizenship in society as well as in the work force.
The right to be represented, to collective representation, is a basic right appropriate to all workers as is recognised in, among other places European law. At their very heart Unions, in their work of representation, are about the strengthening and deepening of democracy within our society, deriving their strength from their collectivity, from the great sense of solidarity they engender amongst those willing to work in unity for the achievement of better and fairer working conditions for their fellow citizens.
That is why Unions have sought peace, and avoidance of the loss of life that conflict brings. A century ago the Trade Union movement, North and South, were united in seeking to avoid unnecessary loss of life in both the War of Independence and the Civil War, a view delivered on their behalf in the Dáil by Tom Johnson of The Labour Party. It is the Trade Union movement, on an island basis and internationally, that has been most steadfast in opposing sectarianism.
Today, in Ireland, approximately 25 per cent of workers are members of a Trade Union. Forty years ago that figure was in excess of 62 percent. For many years now, the Trade Union movement has been fighting a difficult battle against the centrality of individualism lead by versions, some more extreme that others within our society, with its emphasis on the insatiable wants of the individual over the needs of the group. This has often be accompanied by an ill-informed resentment of the role of the State, its institutions and the public servants who work in them.
Being a ‘union person’ has always demanded courage. PDFORRA is, of course, no stranger to facing many challenges, indeed, it is rooted in a profound sense of determination. When the late John Lucey, along with Michael Martin and several other colleagues, originally decided to set up a representative association for members of the Defence Forces they not only encountered opposition and friction, but also the threat of dismissal itself from service, and even the threat of imprisonment, for failing to comply with rules of discipline.
Their unwavering commitment to the improvement of pay and conditions for their colleagues was then, and remains now, a clearly stated articulation of the right of Defence Forces personnel to have work conditions that respected human dignity, security and respect. It was also informed by a vision of the kind of humanity in our society that our policies and our efforts must constantly seek and nurture.
In their work to ensure that our military personnel would be allowed a voice John Lucey, Michael Martin and their colleagues were following in the footsteps of all workers in the past, and their families, who had marched, fought for and stood in solidarity with their colleagues, with their fellow citizens, and with people all over the world who have struggled against inequality and against so many forms of exclusion. They were also creating a critical moment in the history of the Defence Forces, responding as they were to a vital need.
When we remember that many members of the military were, at the time, living in substandard accommodation, working in poor conditions and trying to exist and support families on extremely meagre pay we cannot but conclude that a society was being defended that was failing to value the contribution and the strengthening and sustenance of security and national representation that our Defence Forces were offering to that society.
PDFORRA’s achievements have, across the three decades since its establishment been many, and you have much to reflect on with pride as you mark this thirty first anniversary. Today it is estimated that PDFORRA comprises some 6,500 members, who have benefitted from your committed and generous work, and you have progress to report.
As a party to the Conciliation and Arbitration Scheme for Members of the Defence Forces you play a key role in progressing important claims and proposals relating to pay and conditions of service. You have also been instrumental in ensuring the Scheme remains relevant and appropriate in what is an evolving workplace context.
Your engagement in Conciliation Council Meetings has ensured that several barriers to Defence Force Personnel receiving adequate allowances and recompense have now been removed. You have also played an important role as stakeholders in both consultations relating to the Defence Forces, and in wider public service discussions and negotiations, ensuring your members are fairly represented at the table and benefit from ensuing agreements.
While your achievements have been important ones, and the working and living conditions in which our Defence Forces now operate has been greatly enhanced we all know, however, that there still remains considerable work to be done.
While, as a nation we are aware of the enormous debt of gratitude we owe our Defence Forces for their service at home and abroad, I am deeply aware that gratitude, the expression of such well-earned, cannot and should not be perceived as an adequate substitute for the policies that in their implementation are recognising the expression of dignity, well-being and decent living conditions that are the right of all workers in any fair and inclusive society.
Neither, I am aware, does praise alone protect the livelihoods of our workers. It is only by closing the gap between words and action that we can honestly and ethically express our appreciation to those who offer so much in the service of the State.
It is a matter of the greatest concern that so many personnel are leaving, with better pay being cited as a primary reason for so many being unable to continue with their chosen career. The importance of your work and the positive impact which it has in this country and beyond our shores must be valued, recognised and supported. I am aware that progress has been made in this regard, with some restoration of allowances and pay increases in line with recommendations by the Public Service Pay Commission, and that is a welcome development.
Gleneagle Hotel, Killarney, 6th October, 2021
Oifigigh agus ionadaithe baill de PDFORRA. Lig dom ar an gcéad dul síos mo bhuíochas a glacadh libh as ucht bhur gcuireadh bheith libh ar an ócáid seo ar chríoch bhur gcomhdháil.
Officers and delegates of PDFORRA, I am delighted to join you all here this evening at the banquet of your annual conference. PDFORRA is an organisation that has, for 31 years, been a tireless advocate for the rights and welfare of our Defence Forces members. As I have just said in Irish I want to begin by thanking your Vice President Donogh Maguire for inviting me, in my capacity as Supreme Commander of the Defence Forces, to take part in this occasion, and all of you for the generous welcome you have extended to me this evening.
In that capacity as Supreme Commander of the Defence Forces I welcome the members of the Defence Forces having representation with regard to the decisions that affect them and their loved ones. The movements and organisations that have sought and given representation to workers have a long and indeed difficult history, one that required courage, one which has witnessed lengthy and often harsh struggles in pursuit of basic rights. Some of those struggles and confrontations have ended in devastating defeats, others in landmark victories. The Trade Union movement’s role in Irish society, too often downplayed in the dominant historiography, has been generous and broad reaching, extending back to being the most enlightened and far seeing part of our long fought battle for independence and outwards towards the right to dignity of citizenship in society as well as in the work force.
The right to be represented, to collective representation, is a basic right appropriate to all workers as is recognised in, among other places European law. At their very heart Unions, in their work of representation, are about the strengthening and deepening of democracy within our society, deriving their strength from their collectivity, from the great sense of solidarity they engender amongst those willing to work in unity for the achievement of better and fairer working conditions for their fellow citizens.
That is why Unions have sought peace, and avoidance of the loss of life that conflict brings. A century ago the Trade Union movement, North and South, were united in seeking to avoid unnecessary loss of life in both the War of Independence and the Civil War, a view delivered on their behalf in the Dáil by Tom Johnson of The Labour Party. It is the Trade Union movement, on an island basis and internationally, that has been most steadfast in opposing sectarianism.
Today, in Ireland, approximately 25 per cent of workers are members of a Trade Union. Forty years ago that figure was in excess of 62 percent. For many years now, the Trade Union movement has been fighting a difficult battle against the centrality of individualism lead by versions, some more extreme that others within our society, with its emphasis on the insatiable wants of the individual over the needs of the group. This has often be accompanied by an ill-informed resentment of the role of the State, its institutions and the public servants who work in them.
Being a ‘union person’ has always demanded courage. PDFORRA is, of course, no stranger to facing many challenges, indeed, it is rooted in a profound sense of determination. When the late John Lucey, along with Michael Martin and several other colleagues, originally decided to set up a representative association for members of the Defence Forces they not only encountered opposition and friction, but also the threat of dismissal itself from service, and even the threat of imprisonment, for failing to comply with rules of discipline.
Their unwavering commitment to the improvement of pay and conditions for their colleagues was then, and remains now, a clearly stated articulation of the right of Defence Forces personnel to have work conditions that respected human dignity, security and respect. It was also informed by a vision of the kind of humanity in our society that our policies and our efforts must constantly seek and nurture.
In their work to ensure that our military personnel would be allowed a voice John Lucey, Michael Martin and their colleagues were following in the footsteps of all workers in the past, and their families, who had marched, fought for and stood in solidarity with their colleagues, with their fellow citizens, and with people all over the world who have struggled against inequality and against so many forms of exclusion. They were also creating a critical moment in the history of the Defence Forces, responding as they were to a vital need.
When we remember that many members of the military were, at the time, living in substandard accommodation, working in poor conditions and trying to exist and support families on extremely meagre pay we cannot but conclude that a society was being defended that was failing to value the contribution and the strengthening and sustenance of security and national representation that our Defence Forces were offering to that society.
PDFORRA’s achievements have, across the three decades since its establishment been many, and you have much to reflect on with pride as you mark this thirty first anniversary. Today it is estimated that PDFORRA comprises some 6,500 members, who have benefitted from your committed and generous work, and you have progress to report.
As a party to the Conciliation and Arbitration Scheme for Members of the Defence Forces you play a key role in progressing important claims and proposals relating to pay and conditions of service. You have also been instrumental in ensuring the Scheme remains relevant and appropriate in what is an evolving workplace context.
Your engagement in Conciliation Council Meetings has ensured that several barriers to Defence Force Personnel receiving adequate allowances and recompense have now been removed. You have also played an important role as stakeholders in both consultations relating to the Defence Forces, and in wider public service discussions and negotiations, ensuring your members are fairly represented at the table and benefit from ensuing agreements.
While your achievements have been important ones, and the working and living conditions in which our Defence Forces now operate has been greatly enhanced we all know, however, that there still remains considerable work to be done.
While, as a nation we are aware of the enormous debt of gratitude we owe our Defence Forces for their service at home and abroad, I am deeply aware that gratitude, the expression of such well-earned, cannot and should not be perceived as an adequate substitute for the policies that in their implementation are recognising the expression of dignity, well-being and decent living conditions that are the right of all workers in any fair and inclusive society.
Neither, I am aware, does praise alone protect the livelihoods of our workers. It is only by closing the gap between words and action that we can honestly and ethically express our appreciation to those who offer so much in the service of the State.
It is a matter of the greatest concern that so many personnel are leaving, with better pay being cited as a primary reason for so many being unable to continue with their chosen career. The importance of your work and the positive impact which it has in this country and beyond our shores must be valued, recognised and supported. I am aware that progress has been made in this regard, with some restoration of allowances and pay increases in line with recommendations by the Public Service Pay Commission, and that is a welcome development.