I move:—
That a sum not exceeding £3,384,580 be granted to complete the sum necessary to defray the Charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending the 31st day of March, 1952, for the Defence Forces (including certain Grants-in-Aid) under the Defence Forces (Temporary Provisions) Acts, and for certain administrative Expenses in connection therewith; for certain Expenses under the Offences against the State Acts, 1939 and 1940 (No. 13 of 1939 and No. 2 of 1940) and the Air-raid Precautions Acts, 1939 and 1946 (No. 21 of 1939 and No. 28 of 1946); for Expenses in connection with the issue of Medals, etc,; for Expenses of the Bureau of Military History; and for a Grant-in-Aid of the Irish Red Cross Society (No. 32 of 1938).
The Estimate for the Defence Vote for 1951-52 as printed and presented to the Dáil, was framed by the previous Government, and, therefore, while I am responsible for the sum of £5,076,870 which the Dáil is asked to vote, my present function is simply to explain in broad outline how that sum was arrived at.
The Estimate of £5,076,870 shows an increase on that of the past year of £1,100,160, but if a Supplementary Estimate of £252,623, taken in March, be taken into consideration, the increase is reduced to £847,537. That increase is mainly due to the provision made for clothing, general and warlike stores, Civil Defence and the Reserve.
The peace establishment of the Army, which is the framework of subheads A., E., and P.2, consists of 1,270 officers, 3,650 N.C.O.s, and 7,823 privates, that is 12,743 all ranks, but the potential average strength over the whole year for which the Estimate provides is 1,132 officers, 2,402 N.C.O.s, and 4,348 privates, that is 7,882 all ranks, or 4,861 all ranks below that of the peace establishment.
The actual average strength maintained during the 14 months from April, 1950, to the end of May, 1951, was 1,083 officers and 6,749 other ranks, that is about 50 under that provided for in the Estimate. The number of enlistments and re-enlistments of other ranks accepted for service during the same period was 1,113, but against that there was a normal wastage due to discharges, etc., of 1,540, so that the intake was less than the wastage by 427 other ranks. It is hardly necessary for me to say that this is a serious position which calls for immediate attention. The present Government does not consider that position as in any way satisfactory and one of its immediate tasks will be to do its best to stimulate recruitment for the regular force.
Deputies have already in the Book of Estimates details of the expenditure covered by the Defence Vote, so I think that, for practical purposes at least at this stage, it will be sufficient to summarise it under the following broad headings:—
Pay and Allowances:— |
£ |
Regular Army |
2,822,929 |
Reserve FirstLine |
137,633 |
,, Second ,, |
372,113 |
Civilians |
682,753 |
Ordinary Stores |
550,044 |
Warlike Stores |
461,711 |
Civil Defence |
120,390 |
Incidentals |
60,787 |
Total |
£5,208,360 |
I have been assured that the morale of the Army is being maintained, that its discipline is good and its health excellent.
As regards the training of the Army, every means possible is being availed of to keep our officers and other ranks abreast of the latest developments in military and technical science. During the year, 29 officers were sent abroad on special courses and, when they returned, they imparted the latest information thus obtained to others. In addition, 116 officers attended courses at home and, subsequently, they also acted as instructors for others. When the Reserve, First Line, was called up during the year, training in platoon and company tactics for the different corps and services was carried out, and the reservists themselves received refresher courses in weapon, tactical and technical training. As regards the F.C.A., we are hoping that by the increase in the number of regular training officers made a few months ago, the training of that force will be developed and its service rendered even more attractive.
In conclusion, I would like to avail of this opportunity to appeal to Deputies and, through them to the able-bodied youth of this country, to aid me in my task of building up the forces of the State, so as to be in a position in case of an emergency, to defend our country's integrity. Men are wanted for each arm of the service, and I appeal to them to come forward and follow in the footsteps of those who secured by their sacrifices our liberty and freedom. To ensure the continuance of that independence is surely an ideal which should commend itself to the manhood of the nation.