asked the Minister for Defence whether he is aware of the grave dissatisfaction which exists among members of the ranks stationed at Sarsfield Barracks, Limerick, because of conditions generally and because of the interpretation of regulations in a harsh manner to the detriment of the men concerned; and whether he is prepared to have the matter investigated.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Conditions in Sarsfield Barracks, Limerick.
I am not aware of the existence of grave dissatisfaction amongst the members of the permanent Defence Force stationed at Sarsfield Barracks, Limerick. As a result of inquiries which I have made, I can find no evidence that dissatisfaction does, in fact, exist or that the conditions of service there or the manner in which regulations are interpreted or enforced are such as to give cause for any complaint.
Is the Minister aware that the inquiries he put on foot were addressed to the officer commanding and other officers in Sarsfield Barracks? Is he aware that there is grave dissatisfaction among the ranks stationed in that barracks? If I present to him irrefutable evidence from soldiers in the ranks, will he give a guarantee that no disciplinary action will ensue as a result of such representations and such evidence?
Of course the inquiries were made in the barracks and not from the Deputy, or any other Deputy in Limerick. If evidence comes to my notice from any source which I can regard as reliable, I shall certainly have it examined. If the request is that I do not take disciplinary action against the people who make the charges, if they are found to be ill-founded, I presume then I shall also be at liberty to waive privilege as far as the evidence is concerned in order to enable the officers who are accused to take action against the accuser.
Arising out of that most extraordinary supplementary reply, is the Minister aware that I did not mention or suggest that he should set inquiries afoot through Deputies? I said "through the officer commanding and the officers in Sarsfield Barracks." Is the Minister not aware that justice cannot be done while the threat hangs over the head of the ordinary private that disciplinary action may ensue?
There is no private soldier who does not know that he can make a complaint direct to me at any time or in any place and I will protect him fully against any attack from anybody. Every serving soldier knows that. I can assure the Deputy that, as far as my investigations have gone, there is no cause for complaint. But I will take from the Deputy, if he sends it to me, any information he has relating to the matter. I do not think, however, that he should put a condition on it.
Will the Minister protect me as well?
asked the Minister for Defence whether he is aware that a member of the Defence Forces [name supplied] attached to Sarsfield Barracks, Limerick, was evicted by the tenant from a corporation house in which he was a subtenant, and that the soldier, his 19-year-old wife and his child were given a ticket for the City Home, and, if so, if he will make a statement on the matter; further, whether he is aware of the acute shortage of housing accommodation for married personnel in Sarsfield Barracks, and what immediate action is contemplated to alleviate the position.
I have no responsibility for the matter mentioned in the first part of the Deputy's question and it is not, therefore, my intention to make a statement.
I am aware of the need for the provision of housing accommodation for married personnel at this barracks and the matter is under consideration as part of the general scheme to improve the housing conditions of married soldiers at the larger military centres.
Is the Minister aware that at the end of June, 1954, he gave an exactly similar undertaking? He said the matter was under consideration then. Further, is the Minister aware that a married soldier, his 19-year-old wife and one child have had to go into the City Home in this so-called Christian, Catholic Ireland? Surely, while it may not be within his province, he should direct his attention to such matters?
That is not a question.
Would the Minister agree it would be far more fitting for the Department of Defence to build houses instead of gymnasia for its soldiers?
Question No. 10.
I think I should be allowed to reply. I did not say it was not a matter of concern to me. The interests of any soldier are, of course, a matter of concern to me. What I said was that I had no function in the matter, because it was an eviction from a county council cottage. The soldier concerned did not go into the county home, but into alternative accommodation.
Question No. 10.
Further arising out of the Minister's reply——
Question No. 10.
——is he aware——
I have called Question No. 10.
asked the Minister for Defence if he will state (a) the pay of a private soldier with a wife and two children living in the married quarters in Sarsfield Barracks, Limerick, and (b) the rent charged for living accommodation (i) before the last increase in pay, and (ii) subsequent to the increase.
The pay and allowances of a private, line, five-star, with a wife and two children living in married quarters in Sarsfield Barracks, Limerick, is £7 0s. 2d. a week.
Non-commissioned officers and privates in occupation of married quarters were required, before the last pay increase, to pay 5/- a week for the quarters, furniture, light and water and this charge has not since been increased.
asked the Minister for Defence if he will state the conditions of service and duties of members of the Defence Forces who perform orderly duty for officers stationed in Sarsfield Barracks, Limerick.
Orderlies to unmarried officers stationed at Sarsfield Barracks, Limerick, are required to maintain the officers' quarters, clothing and equipment in proper condition. Orderlies to married officers are required, in addition to maintaining the officers' clothing and equipment, to assist in keeping the officers' quarters in proper condition.
Orderlies are required in addition to their duties as orderlies to perform such routine duties of a military nature as may be necessary.
Would the Minister state if it comes within the ordinary duties of such orderlies to carry out, in an officer's married quarters, in a private house, duties similar to those carried out by a domestic?
I would not be able to supply that information.
In other words, is it the duty of a member of the Defence Forces who is acting as orderly to clean the house, do the cooking and mind the children? There is nothing at all amusing in that; as every Deputy on every side of the House knows that is what is happening, and will the Minister state whether this is correct?
I am not aware of that. If the Deputy would listen to the reply which I gave him, he would know that the orderly is expected to assist in maintaining the officers' clothing and equipment and to assist in keeping the officers' quarters in proper condition.
And his wife and children?
asked the Minister for Defence if he will state in respect of each of the years 1953 to 1956 the number of applications for permission to leave the forces received from members of the ranks stationed at Sarsfield Barracks, Limerick.
It is assumed that the Deputy refers to applications for discharge or transfer to the Reserve Defence Force from personnel whose engagements have not expired. The figures in this respect are as follows for personnel stationed at Sarsfield Barracks, Limerick.
|
Year ended |
Number of applications for discharge or transfer to the Reserve Defence Force. |
|
31/3/53 |
11 |
|
31/3/54 |
17 |
|
31/3/55 |
12 |
|
31/3/56 |
10 |
|
— |
|
|
Total |
50 |
|
— |