PDFORRA, the representative organisation for rank-and-file soldiers, has suspended its protest outside the offices of the Department of Defence. The fortnight-long "press conference" was ended temporarily yesterday evening for negotiations next week with Department officials.
The soldiers are protesting at what they see as a lack of consultation about their concerns at Partnership
2000, "arbitrary changes in terms and conditions and lack of consultation about barrack closures".
Mr Lucey, PDFORRA's general secretary, said the Defence Forces had been negotiating pay increases "far less than for nurses and gardai" and they were not being properly consulted.