Pdforra to press ahead with bid to join union

Paul Kehoe. Photo: Kyran O'Brien

Tom Brady

A report from a review group will be key to finding a solution to the current impasse over a military representative association seeking to join the Irish Congress of Trade Unions.

Defence Minister Paul Kehoe said yesterday he hoped to receive the result of the review shortly and this would help determine whether he would sanction the application by Pdforra, the association representing soldiers, sailors and air crew, to become a member of the ICTU.

The Pdforra move has already led to a stand-off between the association and the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, Vice-Admiral Mark Mellett, who warned it had potential implications for the security of the State.

He told Pdforra's annual conference in Tullow, Co Carlow, yesterday that the taking of any form of industrial action was incompatible with military service.

But Pdforra general secretary Ger Guinan said concerns regarding the affiliation were not justified and he was surprised the issue had come into the public domain again.

He said it would press ahead with its application, which has been accepted by ICTU in principle, and were not interested in taking strike action.

He said Pdforra could include a caveat stating that their membership of ICTU could be curtailed in times of need.