asked the Minister for Defence if he is now in a position to announce the terms of the demobilisation scheme for members of the Defence Forces.
Ceisteanna.—Questions. Oral Answers. - Demobilisation of Defence Forces.
The demobilisation scheme for members of the Defence Forces to which the Deputy refers is still under active consideration. I am not yet in a position to announce the terms of the scheme.
Is the Minister aware of the considerable anxiety which members of the Defence Forces are under in view of the delay in the preparation of this scheme; that many of these men have been away from civilian employment for quite a while and do not know whether they should apply for a civilian job, or what they should do so that provision would be made for their dependents? Is it proposed to make an announcement soon?
I am not aware that there is any very great anxiety. I have not been made aware, if there is any. Deputies will, of course, understand that the question we are considering is a very important question, which will need important consideration.
I quite appreciate that the question is important but the fact that it is important does not allow the Minister to postpone indefinitely the announcement of a scheme. It is a considerable time since the question was first asked, and the answer appears to be that it is under active consideration all the time, without any decision having been arrived at.