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Army To Be Trained And 'On Standby' To Assist Airport Security

File image: Rolling News

RACO has said the ‘free labour aspect of military service’ needs to end.

Members of the Defence Forces will be trained to provide aviation security duties at Dublin Airport.

Cabinet approved the move today and they will be available on stand by to assist the DAA.

In a statement, Minister for Defence Simon Coveney says he agreed to the request on a clear assurance this is a distinct piece of work, provided in extreme circumstances.

It will last no-more than six weeks and the support will be stood down in August when the busy holiday period has passed.

Minister Coveney has said the DAA has given assurances that they will continue with their own recruitment and additional security staff.

RACO has said this is in contrast to previous statements by Minister for Defence Simon Coveney TD and An Taoiseach Mícheál Martin TD which categorically ruled out the deployment of the Army, and confirmed that it was a human resources issue for DAA to solve.

RACO General Secretary Conor King commented: “Once again the Defence Forces are turned to in the country’s time of need, and will undoubtedly step up as the State’s insurance policy.

"We are concerned however that this is another example of the Defence Forces being used as emergency cover to compensate for management decisions in other state bodies.

"We must not ignore the recommendation of the Commission on the Defence Forces to end the ‘free labour aspect of military service’, which would be a further blow to morale in the organisation," he said.

"We need clarity on the type of roles our members will be expected to perform, what their working conditions will be, and what compensation they will be receiving for their work.

“We must ensure that our personnel are fairly treated, and adequately compensated for their work. Another concern is what essential training, career development or activities are being cancelled to facilitate this new task?

"We are already struggling to fulfill our existing roles due to a failure to retain personnel," he added.

PBP Employment Rights spokesperson said in a statement today: "Dublin Airport has a staff crisis because 248 staff were made redundant, and they tried to hire new workers on lower pay and poorer contracts.
 
"They could solve this crisis by offering proper wages and conditions to workers," insisted PBP.
 
"The chair of DAA's Board of Management is a former director of Goldman Sachs. Venture capitalists like this shouldn't be allowed near a key piece of public infrastructure like our main national airport.
 
"Now they want the Government to get them off hook when queues explode.
 
"But instead of using low-paid soldiers to save them money, Dublin Airport should be made to hire workers on proper pay.
 
"What's more, it should be taken out of the control of venture capitalists and put back into public hands," PBP added.
 

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