asked the Minister for Defence if he will quote the Army or military camp regulations which affect (a) the introduction of political discussions amongst Army personnel or in camp quarters; (b) the right of Army personnel to be members of political Parties or to take part in the work of such Parties at elections or otherwise and (c) the right of persons entering on camp quarters in fulfilment of a contract or otherwise to engage in political canvassing, discussions or organisation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Army Regulations and Political Discussions.
(a) There is no Army regulation or instruction, and it has not been found necessary to issue any, dealing with the introduction of political discussions amongst Army personnel or in camp quarters.
(b) Section 13 (1), Defence Forces Act, however, reads as follows:—
"No officer or soldier of the forces shall join or be a member of or subscribe to any political society or organisation."
(c) the question of political canvassing in barracks is covered by an instruction of long standing issued by the Adjutant-General of which the following extract is relevant:—
"Canvassers, organisers or agents of political Parties or other interests will not be permitted to enter military barracks or married quarters for the purpose of soliciting votes.
Passes to enter barracks will not be issued to representatives or agents of any Party or interest whatever."
Can the Minister say whether a person going into a barracks in pursuance of his duty to fulfil a civil contract of delivering goods is entitled to use that opportunity to canvass for political Parties?
No, not according to these regulations which I read out.
Could the Minister say whether a soldier is entitled to canvass outside his hours of official duty?
No, I should say not, but I want to remind the Deputy that these complaints are not one-sided.
I fully appreciate that.
They are very varied and if the Deputy has any evidence which he can produce, I will be very glad to inquire into it. As I have mentioned, I have got several complaints of a similar character, perhaps opposite to the view expressed by the Deputy, but I have received no evidence on which I could have an inquiry conducted.
The Deputy will furnish the evidence to the Minister.
Produce the evidence and I will inquire into it.
I take it the Minister's reply refers only to full-time personnel and not personnel on the Reserve or F.C.A.
Personnel on the Reserve have nothing to do with this at all.
Does the Minister not think that the State has grown up sufficiently now to abandon this type of regulations altogether and that if a man wants to have a political opinion, he should be let have it?
That is another day's work.