The current Programme for Government prescribes for a successor agreement to the Public Sector Stability Agreement, which terminates on 31 December 2020. ARCO notes that preliminary exploratory talks on a new public sector pay agreement have commenced. It would seem these talks are seeking to establish whether a sufficient basis exists for negotiations on a […]
Yearly Archives: 2020
10
Nov
Nov
As advised in an earlier website posting, ARCO presented its recommendations to the Minister for Defence on the Composition and Terms of Reference for the Government’s Commission on the Defence Forces. Link to Submission dated 16 September 2020. As requested by the Minister in his letter dated 20 October, ARCO has also submitted its recommendations […]
08
Nov
Nov
On 8 November 1960, an eleven-man patrol from Number 2 Platoon, A Company, 33 Infantry Battalion, ONUC, departed their base at Niemba, under the command of Lieutenant Kevin Gleeson. Having dismounted at a crossing point on the Luweyeye River, twenty kilometres from Niemba, the patrol was attacked without warning by a large number of Baluba […]
30
Oct
Oct
McKee Officers’ Club has produced a remarkable film celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the deployment of the first Defence Forces unit on UN Peacekeeping Operations with ONUC in the Congo. “Ireland in the Service of the Future”, featuring the 32 Inf Bn and 33 Inf Bn, was edited and produced by Gerry McColgan, supported by […]
12
Oct
Oct
Annual General Meeting The Association’s 26th AGM took place in virtual format, by means of electronic communications technology (Zoom), on 02 October 2020. For an overview of the AGM, please download here. Officers’ Reports Reports were presented by the President: Brig Gen Paul Pakenham (Retd), the Secretary: Lt Col Joe Ahern (Retd), the Treasurer: Lt […]
12
Oct
Oct
A Press Release from the Department of Health on 06 October announced that the Minister for Health, Mr Stephen Donnelly TD, has secured funding for a range of measures that will make healthcare more affordable for more than a million people across the country. This funding, which was agreed at Cabinet on 06 October, will […]
03
Oct
Oct
On the 60th anniversary of his death, the extended Defence Community remembers with pride Company Sergeant Felix Grant, B Company, 33 Infantry Battalion, Opération des Nations Unies au Congo (ONUC), who was the first member of the Defence Forces to die on United Nations service. Company Sergeant Grant died at the King Albert Hospital, Albertville […]
02
Oct
Oct
ARCO regrets to inform its members of the death of Commandant Con O’Neill, Howth Road and formerly Lennox Street, Dublin. On September 29, 2020, peacefully at home. Cherished soul mate of the much-missed Leolyn and beloved father of Katy, Desmond and Cara. Con leaves behind much loved grandchildren, a lifetime’s worth of dear friends, including […]
28
Sep
Sep
Military pension payroll and helpdesk support is currently managed and administered by the Payroll Shared Services, National Shared Services Office (PSS – NSSO), co-located with the Department of Defence in Galway. On 28 September 2020, ARCO was advised that the processing of the military pension payroll is transferring from Galway to Tullamore, becoming effective for […]
22
Sep
Sep
ARCO, whose membership reflects a considerable reservoir of expertise and experience on Defence, welcomes the Government’s decision to establish a Commission on the Defence Forces. Arising from the provisions of the Programme for Government, on 16 September ARCO availed of the opportunity of presenting its recommendations to the Minister for Defence on the Composition and […]