asked the Minister for Defence if in view of the hardship caused to soldiers and their families by the proposed reduction of ordinary annual leave in respect of members of the Army who received special leave on their return from service in the Congo, he will take steps to allow such soldiers their ordinary annual leave next Summer.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Soldiers' Annual Leave.
26.
Mr. Ryan
On their return from the Congo, soldiers were given 30 days' special leave. During their period of service in the Congo, they came under United Nations regulations and were eligible for leave on the basis of 2½ days for each month of service or a cash allowance of 3 dollars per day in lieu. It would be manifestly unreasonable to expect that the same period of service would also count for ordinary annual leave under Rialacháin Óglaigh na hÉireann.
These soldiers will be eligible for their full annual leave in the year commencing on 1st April next and as far as possible, they will be facilitated if they wish to avail of it during the summer.