asked the Minister for Defence if he will state what changes, if any, are contemplated, or have recently taken place, in the organisation, officering, equipment, and training of the naval service.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - The Naval Service.
During the emergency, it was found necessary to organise a marine service within the Defence Forces. As a result of the experience gained during the emergency, it is proposed to retain this service, which has been renamed the "naval service", as a permanent component of the Defence Forces and to organise, train and equip it, so far as the resources of the State allow, to carry out usefully its contemplated peace-time and war-time functions.
Three corvettes have been purchased from the British Government and a further three will be purchased later. The corvette is regarded as being the most suitable type of general service vessel for this country's needs. The most useful of the existing vessels of the service will continue to be maintained in operation.
The establishment of the service has been altered to provide complements for the new vessels and also to provide for the increased administrative staffs, etc., which are necessary as a result of the proposed permanent retention of the naval service.
Provision has been made for the appointment of a director of the service, with the marine rank of captain, which is the equivalent of the military rank of colonel. The officer to fill this appointment has been specially recruited, owing to the necessity of obtaining the services of an officer possessing experience of modern methods, equipment and tactics and with the ability and training necessary for the efficient organisation of the naval service. The officer in question is being granted a short-service commission for a period of five years. It will, probably, be necessary to secure the services of two additional officers on a similar basis to deal in a specialised manner with questions of training, administration, supply and maintenance.
A number of serving officers have been appointed to short-service commissions for a period of five years in the naval service. These officers, previously, held temporary commissions either in the forces or in the reserve of officers. It is proposed to recruit this year by open competitive examination at least 12 cadets who will be trained as naval officers. It is hoped to recruit a further 12 next year. Recruitment will also be necessary of a number of other ranks, particularly warrant officers and chief petty officers.
The 2nd line units of the marine service, popularly known as the "maritime inscription", will be organised as a component of the naval reserve and the necessary regulations will be promulgated shortly.
asked the Minister for Defence if he will state whether his attention has been drawn to the publication of a statement to the effect that the Government proposed to appoint, as Commodore of the Naval Service, a person who is not an Irish citizen; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
My attention has not been drawn to the publication of the statement referred to by the Deputy.
As a result of the reorganisation of the Naval Service, a senior officer in the rank of captain is required as director of the service. Following negotiations with the British Admiralty, an officer, who had retired from the British Navy in 1945 with the rank of commander, was selected for the post. The officer in question is not an Irish citizen.
Can the Minister say what the nationality of the officer is?
I understand that he was born in America.
Do I understand that he is an American citizen at present?
I could not say.
Has the Minister caused any inquiry to be made?
No. All I know is that he was born in America. He was in the British Naval Service for a considerable time and he retired with the rank of commander. I do not know what his nationality is.
asked the Minister for Defence if he will state whether any consultations have recently taken place with the Government of Great Britain or of the United States regarding the Irish Naval Service; and if so, if he will state the object and the result of any such consultations.
Discussions on the purchase of the most suitable type of vessels for our requirements have taken place between officers of my Department and British officials. As a result, three corvettes have been acquired for the naval service. No other discussions took place.
Did I understand from the Minister's reply to the previous question that discussions took place with regard to the selection of a person as director of this service?
No. The only discussion that took place was in respect of the type of vessel which would be most suitable for the purpose for which it was required, in the main, by us.
Did I not understand from the Minister's reply to Question 24 that conversations took place on behalf of the Government with the British Admiralty with regard to the person who was to be selected as captain of the new service?
No. Whatever help we got was obtained from the High Commissioner in London. He obtained certain information for us, on which we acted.
Do I understand that the High Commissioner in London had some conversations with the British Admiralty as to the person who would be suitable for appointment as captain?
I could not say for certain. He may have obtained the information for us unofficially.
Can the Minister say, then, how the selection of the person to be appointed as captain was arrived at?
By writing to the person we deemed most suitable, getting in touch with him and having an interview with him.
asked the Minister for Defence if he will state, in relation to the corvettes recently purchased for the naval service (a) the number purchased; (b) the year of construction; (c) the price paid; and (d) whether they have been in service.
Three corvettes have been purchased, one of which has already been delivered. One of the vessels was completed in 1941 and the two others were completed in 1942. As it is not the practice to disclose details of prices paid by the Department, I am unable to accede to the Deputy's request in this connection. Except for periods of refits and a period during which one vessel was held in reserve, all three have been in service since commissioning.
With the exception of the war years, it was always the practice to give information with regard to the price paid for goods, armaments or otherwise. The Book of Estimates, prior to the war, was teeming with such information. Is the war practice to continue, when that practice was approved by the Dáil only on the understanding that there was a joint Defence Conference which got all the information on behalf of the different Parties?
I understand that this is a general rule, that it had not been introduced only for the war period or for any other particular period.
Would the Minister say whether the Estimate of £200,000 for vessels, occurring in the present year's Estimates, will cover the cost of these vessels?
I presume it will.
Would the Minister say whether they are absolutely up to date and modern in design?
They are; we would not purchase them if they were not.
Is it battleships you want?