Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 May 2026
112. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Defence if she is aware of allegations that a 'secret deal' was reached with three individuals in the Air Corps Fire Service following threats to cease operations at the aerodrome ; if she will explain the reason such an arrangement would be implemented. [33173/26]
View answerI thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I am not aware of any confidential or secret deals having been reached with a specific group of personnel within the Air Corps/Fire Service at Casement Aerodrome.
I can confirm that any matters relating to staffing, operations or industrial relations within the Air Corps Fire Service are managed in line with established governance and operational safety requirements.
The Conciliation & Arbitration Scheme for the Defence Forces is the primary mechanism for addressing industrial relations issues in the Defence sector. In line with the Irish model of industrial relations, it is a voluntary mechanism which provides structures for management and military Representative Associations to engage on collective issues that may arise. These structures have helped to maintain positive industrial relations in the sector over a number of years.
