asked the Minister for Defence if he has issued instructions to recruiting officers that residents of the six north-eastern counties should not be accepted as recruits in the F.C.A.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - F.C.A. Recruits.
No specific instructions on this point have been issued to recruiting officers as the matter is covered in the relevant Defence Force regulations which prescribe that a man ordinarily resident outside the State, other than a man who is residing temporarily within the State for the purpose of attending a course of education, is ineligible for enlistment or service in the F.C.A.
Would the Minister ensure that area officers, particularly in the Eastern Command, are reminded of this Army regulation?
Do I take it from the Minister's reply that an Irishman living in the Six Counties cannot join the Defence Forces?
He can join the permanent Defence Force if he so desires, but this question is raised in respect of the F.C.A.
Surely they have been accepted up to the present.
If they were ordinarily resident, yes; but if they are resident in the Six Counties, no.
Is the Minister aware that at least a lorry full of F.C.A. members motors down from Enniskillen every Sunday for drill purposes in halls in Cavan?
I am certainly not aware of that.
I think that is so.