Defence Forces members frustrated over lack of progress on ICTU membership 

According to PDFORRA,  members are becoming 'increasingly despondent' at the lack of movement on the grant of association to ICTU. Picture: Eamonn Farrell/RollingNews.ie

The association representing the country’s rank and file Defence Forces has criticised the Government’s continued refusal to acknowledge its right to get affiliation with the Irish College of Trade Unions and be represented at national pay talks.

PDForra, which represents more than 6,500 enlisted members in the army, naval service, and air corps, is becoming increasingly frustrated by “constant delays and prevarication” from the Government in the face of overwhelming legal decisions, allied to a speech at its annual conference by President Michael D Higgins who said everybody has the right, if they wish, to be affiliated to a trade union.