Yes, in one debate.
Do thír chomh beag le hÉirinn ní beag an soláthar airgid é an méid atá dá iarraidh san Meastachán seo i gcomhair na bliana 1964/65.
Is minic luaite ó dheireadh chogaidh domhanda a dó go mba fánach a bheith ag iarraidh cosaint a chur suas in aghaidh na n-olloirnéisí chogaíochta atá anois ann; agus gurb í sabháltacht thíre anois í a bheith maol, lom, glan ar chóras agus deiseanna chosantais ar fad, mar dhóigh dhe nach dtarraingófaí ionsaí orrainn nuair nach mbeadh cumas ionsaíthe ionainn féin. Séard is bun leis an dóigh seo: nach mbeidh aon sórt cogaíochta ann arís ach cogadh adamach. Síleadh coitianta sa gcéad cogadh domhanda gurbh é an gas an oll-oirnéis críochnaithe gan sarú. Friothadh amach sul da rabh an cogadh sin thart nach rabh sé comh cruthanta sin mar dheis ionsaithe, agus gur mó dochair é, scaítí, don charaid ná don námhaid.
A shliocht air níor h-usaideadh é san darna chogadh domhanda. Ní h-é sin le rá gur chuir sé deireadh le cogaíocha beaga agus móra. Nuair nár chuir, níl an t-am tagaithe fós le deireadh a chur le fórsaí náisiúnta Cosanta. Tá siad ag gach tír, sean agus úr, mór agus beag. Anois is arís, is tráthúil fórsaí le sparáil ag na tíortha beaga chun críche na síochána faoi choimirce Na Náisiún Aontaithe. Ins na cásanna seo, ní féidir feidhm a bhaint as fórsaí na gcumhachtaí móra, mar is iondual a n-imeacht siúd as a gcuid choilíneachtaí faoi ndear don aighneas is don easaontas í measc na stáit nua a thaganns ann de bharr leághadh an impíreánachais.
Na stáit a shaothraigh a saoirse go dian ón smacht sin, aithníonn siad a chéile. Nuair a roghnaítear ceann aca le dul i gcabhair ar cheann eile ní bhíonn doicheall roimhe, mar bítear feasach nach `cis ar an lathaigh do fhéin' an chabhair sin. Is beag tír in Euróip a mbeadh failte roimh chunamh uaithí ag ceann ar bith de na nua-náisiúin. Tá Eire in a measc siud nach bhfuil an bac sin orra. An fhad is a bhéas Na Náisiúin Aontaithe ina cheannródaí ar an sort seo chomhoibrithe idirnáisiúnta, is docha go mbeidh tóir ar chúnamh na hÉireann. Ba cheist ar fad eile í da n-iarrtaí orrainn a bheith páirteach in aon iarracht eile seachas faoi scáth na Náisiún Aontaithe.
Béidir go ndéarfar nach aon chuid de dhualgas na tíre seo a bheith ag cothú forsaí ar mhaithe le réiteach idir chineacha eile. Ina aghaid sin deirtear go bhfuil an domhan níos cúnga anois de bharr thoradh na h-eolaíochta agus má chuirtear an tsíochán i sáinn in aon áit faoi luighe na gréine go mbíonn contúirt ann don chine daonna fré chéile. Ní áibhéal é sin a rá má bhíonn lámh ag cumhacht mhór i scliúchas idirnáisiúnta ar bith.
I gcúrsaí idirnáisiúnta, ní beag le rá iad na náisiúin beaga í buil a chéile agus iad eagraithe foirbarthe aontaithe ar thaobh na síochána. Ach is tríd na Náisiúin Aontaithe, agus tríd amháin gur féidir leo éifeacht chomhdhluithe a aimsiú agus tionchar a oibriú ar mhaithe le réiteach síochánta i ngach cúis mhí-thuiscinte agus aighnis idir na náisiúin.
Sé mo thuairim gur cuid den fhreagra é seo thuas orra siud a cuireanns cosaint náisiúnta idir lu iacutene; na laethannta seo.
Ní furasta dothan fear feiliúnacha a fháil do na forsaí i dtír ar bith nach bhfuil an tseirbhis éigeantach inti—sé sin nuair a bhíonn rogha fostaíochta ar fáil.
Is mar sin atá i leith an airm agus an chabhlaigh in Éirinn faoi lathair, cé go gcaitear níos féile lena fir anois ná ariamh cheana. Nílim a rá gur chóir an tseirbhís mhileata a bheith in iomaíocht le fostaíocht shibhialta—ach tá se amhlaidh na laethannta seo, agus tá thiar ar an seirbhís. Thagair mé anuraidh don imirce thar sáile ón iarthar agus don ganntan fear ar an gcéad cathlán coisithe i Rinn Mhóir.
De réir na tuairisce atá agam is beag idir fáltas glan an tsaidiúir abhus agus an fuíollach a bhionns fágtha ag an imirceóir thall taréis costais reatha a íoc. Ligtear (le toil na dtuismitheoirí) lads seacht mbliana déag d'aois isteach san arm agus ar a mbeith traenáilte dóibh bíonn cúig phunt ocht scilleacha deag glan gach seachtain ina bpóca aca. Da mbíodh na h-aonaid suas cuig a neart bunaidh ba mhóide cumas na Roinne tuille cúrsaí oideachais a chur ar fáil. Fiu da mbíodh faoi scorach imeacht leis as an tír, nach mba mhaith an réamh-réidhchan aige ina chomhair sin trí bliana idir seacht déag agus fiche a chaitheach san arm ag cur pighneacha le céile agus ag fáil eolais ar an saol seachas saol a bhaile dhuchais?
Bead ag cur síos i mBéarla ar chuideanna shonracha an Mheastacháin i leith solathair agus iarrachtaí chun saol an tsaídiúir a fheabhsú. Muna dtagraím anois do mhireanna ar leith is amlaidh atáim ag seachnú an athrá.
The Estimate for Defence is for a net sum of £9,515,500, which is an increase of £6,800 over the amount voted for the financial year 1963/64. I should emphasise, however, that the Estimate contains no provision for the 12 per cent pay increase for the Civil Service staff of the Department of Defence, for the Defence Forces and for civilians attached to units. Before addressing myself to the details of the Estimate, I should like, as in previous years, to say something about the work of the Department, the Defence Forces and the Civil Defence organisation during the financial year now coming to an end.
Deputies are aware that, for a number of reasons, it has not been possible to maintain the strength of the Permanent Defence Force at as high a figure as we would like, but we have been able to continue to supply troops to serve with the United Nations Force in the Congo.
The strength of the United Nations Force has been gradually reduced in accordance with the United Nations policy of withdrawal of troops from the Congo, and there has been a consequential reduction in the numbers this country has been asked to supply. Thus, the 39th Battalion which commenced its service in Kolwezi in April, 1963 was of a reduced strength of 460 officers and men, and it was replaced in November last by the 2nd Infantry Group of a strength of about 335. The 3rd Armoured Car Squadron, consisting of some 89 officers and other ranks, took up duty in Leopoldville in April, 1963 but was not replaced when it completed its tour of duty in October, 1963. Similarly the number of Irish commissioned and non-commissioned officers serving at ONUC Headquarters at Leopoldville has fallen to 21. It had indeed been hoped that all troops could be withdrawn from the Congo by 31st December last, but in response to a request from the Congolese Prime Minister the United Nations agreed to extend operations there for a further six months.
The main body of Irish troops in the Congo has been stationed during the past year in the important mining town of Kolwezi. Their function has been to maintain peaceful conditions in the town and the surrounding area and, as they have succeeded admirably in doing so, their service has tended to be uneventful. There have been no casualties, I am glad to say, but I regret that one legal officer died while serving as Judge Advocate-General at ONUC Headquarters.
During the year, we supplied a further seven officers for service as Military Observers with the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation in Palestine, bringing our total there to eight. Deputies will recall that the purpose of this Organisation is to assist the observance and maintenance of the armistice agreements negotiated in 1949 between Israel on the one hand and Egypt, Syria, Jordan and Lebanon on the other. Our officers' duties include investigation of alleged breaches of the armistice and other incidents, the manning of observer posts and patrol duties.
Once again I have pleasure in thanking the firms and individuals who so kindly presented comforts for our troops in the Congo.
Valuable experience has been gained by our officers and men as a result of their service with the United Nations and this experience will be a continuing source of benefit to us for a long time to come. Our troops have gained considerable status in recent years—a status indicative of the general standard of training and the high qualities of command at all levels.
Here at home, the ceremonies associated with the visit of the late President John F. Kennedy brought the Defence Forces very much before the eyes of the public, and there have been many expressions of appreciation and pride at the bearing of our soldiers during the visit—especially at the ceremonies at Arbour Hill which impressed the late President so deeply. Mrs. Kennedy's request that the Defence Forces should be represented at her husband's obsequies was a very moving tribute, and again there was great pride at the manner in which our cadets bore themselves at the graveside.
During April and May last, and because of a strike of personnel of the bus transport section of Córas Iompair Éireann, an emergency transport service was provided by military personnel driving and manning Army lorries in Dublin, Cork and Galway. About 32 officers and 450 men were engaged on this duty for over four weeks. A minimum of 130 trucks were used. The services rendered in this period were much appreciated by the general public and the use of military personnel and equipment helped to a considerable extent to alleviate the hardship caused by the dispute.
I have recently approved of new scales of pay for all personnel of Na Fórsaí Cosanta related to the increases granted to State servants generally. The new scales of pay are effective as from the 1st February, 1964, and apply to members of the Permanent Defence Force (including the Army Nursing Service) and the Chaplaincy Service. In addition, of course, they apply to An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil and other members of the Reserve Defence Force during annual or other forms of full-time training. The annual cost will be approximately £615,000.
I think I may say that the setting-up of a helicopter service during the year gave general satisfaction. Two helicopters are in operation and delivery of a third is expected early in April. Already, the helicopters have carried out two mercy missions off the west coast and they have been alerted on three other occasions. They have also carried out joint air-sea rescue exercises in conjunction with the lifeboats at Howth, Rosslare and Arklow.
Military equitation teams competed at shows in Rome and Nice, and a joint military-civilian equitation team represented Ireland for the first time and won the Aga Khan Trophy at the Dublin Horse Show in August. Later in the year, another joint team competed at shows in Harrisburg, New York and Toronto. At these six international shows, six firsts, ten seconds and nine third prizes were won. Teams from An Scoil Eachaíochta also competed at 24 Irish provincial shows. The results achieved compared more than favourably with those of the previous year. It is contemplated that mixed military-civilian teams will represent Ireland at this year's shows at White City, London and Dublin. Decisions in regard to attendance at other international shows have not yet been reached.
During 1963, work towards the improvement of conditions of service for soldiers continued under the headings of uniform, accommodation, messing and recreational facilities. As was announced a short time ago, a new style service uniform has been approved for non-commissioned officers and men of the Permanent Defence Force. This will give a much smarter appearance and afford greater comfort in wear to the soldiers than the uniform in use up to now. The contractors are at present working on the production of the new uniform and I hope that it will have made its appearance in actual wear by next autumn.
As to soldiers' married quarters, eight new houses will be completed in a few months in Naas and these, with the twenty being built in Athlone, will bring the total number erected in recent years to 190. It is intended to continue this policy of supplementing local authorities' efforts in the provision of housing by providing, from the Vote for Defence, houses for married soldiers throughout the country where the need is greatest from time to time.
The programme commenced some years ago of modernising dining halls and cookhouses, billet rooms, toilet and ablution facilities, etc., continues and the accommodation for soldiers living in barracks is gradually being brought up to modern standards.
Deputies are aware that recruitment continues to be a difficult problem, despite pay increases and improved conditions of service. This is a problem which seems to be incapable of any easy solution where military service is voluntary, and pay increases and improvements of conditions generally do not appear to be bringing about the desired results. The problem is particularly serious in relation to An tSeirbhís Chabhlaigh, and the few recruits being obtained for this Service show how difficult it is to attract young men in competition with outside maritime agencies. Even the excellent apprentice and training schemes such as that at Naas and that in operation in An tAer Chór present ultimate problems, because the very high standards of training provided make it possible for men to get very attractive outside employment. It is a pity that the Defence Forces do not sufficiently appeal to young men as a way of life because conditions are much better than they used to be and it is gratifying to realise, for instance, that youth delinquency, which is such a matter for concern in civilian life, is not a serious problem in the Defence Forces.
The scheme for the training by An tAer Chór of pilots for Aer Lingus is continuing at Gormanston Camp. The first class completed training with the Cór last October, and the second class commenced training in December. Another such scheme is that being operated at the request of the Fisheries Division of the Department of Lands by which facilities are being made available at Haulbowline for the training of young fishermen. Accommodation, rations and educational facilities are being provided and the training will be carried out, in part, in conjunction with An tSeirbhís Chabhlaigh which will provide instructors in subjects such as seamanship and navigation. The other part of the course, which is designed to provide trained deckhands for the fishery fleet, will be conducted under the auspices of the County Cork Vocational Committee through the technical school at Cobh.
A survey of an extensive area of the North Atlantic to the north-west of Ireland, including Irish harbours and coastal waters, is being carried out by the British hydrographic authorities with the agreement of the Government. This survey will last about four years. Officers of An tSeirbhís Chabhlaigh are participating in it, and the results of the survey will be made available to this country.
I should also like to say a word about An Forsa Cosanta Áitiúil and An Slua Muiri. These bodies supply over 60 per cent of our total force and I wish to acknowledge my admiration for them. I hope that this year they will attend annual training in great numbers, because the training is invaluable and affords the members the best opportunity of improving their general standard.
Civil Defence organisation, planing and training have continued to develop during the past year. According to the latest returns submitted by the local authorities, the number of volunteers at the beginning of 1964 was about 12,300, an increase of 1,600 as compared with a year previously. What is, however, much more impressive is that I have seen during my visits to Civil Defence exercises and functions that the membership has become more representative of all classes in the community than at any time since recruiting started in 1956. The Warden Service continues to develop and to attract volunteers who are particularly suitable for local leadership. Almost 70 per cent of the number of district wardens required have now been trained. Training in rescue, welfare, casualty and auxiliary fire services has continued and it is worth mentioning that members of some of these Civil Defence Services have been availed of by some local authorities to help in dealing with such matters as fires, floods, and so on.
Here let me again, as I did last year, express my gratification to the members of the Oireachtas who have shown their interest in the development of Civil Defence. I confidently look forward to even increased support from the elected representatives of the people so that those actively engaged in local civil defence work, whether as volunteers or officials, will feel that their efforts receive the appreciation which they deserve.
Last year, I referred to the difficulties inherent in the selection and development of control centres at county, sub-county and regional levels. Experience of these difficulties over the past 12 months has shown that progress on the work of providing, protecting and equipping controls will have to be spread over a longer period of years than was at first envisaged and that expenditure will have to be phased accordingly. There is, therefore, a reduction in the provisions for controls based on what it is hoped can actually be achieved during the financial year 1964/65.
I also mentioned last year that I had discussions with the heads of Cumann Croise Deirge na hÉireann, the St. John Ambulance Brigade of Ireland and the Order of Malta Ambulance Corps, at which substantial agreement was reached as to the role which members of these societies would play in Civil Defence. New arrangements have now been settled which provide, inter alia, that units of these three voluntary aid societies recruited and trained independently by their own officers will constitute an element of the Civil Defence Casualty Service. Members of the societies will continue to wear the regular uniforms of their respective organisations while engaged of Civil Defence activities. As compensation for such wear, a State grant, equivalent to 70 per cent of the cost of a Civil Defence uniform, will be paid on certain conditions. This development should result in a significant increase in first aid training throughout the country which would, of course, also be a great asset in peacetime.
On the training side there are now about 170 training centres throughout the country. During the year local authorities carried out exercises, demonstrations, competitions and week-end camps. I welcome the development of week-end camps for civil defence personnel. It gives experience in mobilising and movement as an organising body which I feel sure creates an awareness of belonging to an effective organisation for the work that Civil Defence volunteers would be called upon to undertake if the need arose.
The training of instructors for local authorities, Defence Forces and Garda Síochána continued during the year at An Scoil Cosanta Sibhialta. A new lecture hall and associated improved amenities will be available in the near future which will enhance the teaching facilities there.
Coming to the individual subheads, Subhead B—Permanent Defence Force Pay—makes provision for a net average strength of 1,151 officers, 102 cadets and 7,250 other ranks. As I mentioned already, this subhead—and the same applies to Subhead A—makes no provision for the recent 12 per cent pay increase. Subhead C—Permanent Defence Force Allowances—shows a substantial increase resulting principally from higher rates of ration allowance as compared with last year and somewhat larger numbers in receipt of it. Subhead D—Reserve Defence Force Pay, etc.—shows a decrease. The practice is to base this subhead on the attendances at training during the preceding year. Here again, the 12 per cent pay increase is not provided for.
I shall mention Subhead F—Pay of Civilians attached to Units—in conjunction with Subhead S—Buildings, and I now go on to Subhead G—Civil Defence, which shows a net reduction of £19,016. This, I should emphasise, in no way implies a slowing-down in Civil Defence. While there are fluctuations within the subhead itself, there has, for example, been a saving of about £17,000 in the provision for radiac instruments as a result of securing new types of instruments at cheaper prices. The principal items provided for are—radiac instruments, £44,000 odd; five mobile fire appliances, £22,000 odd; resuscitators and other equipment for the Casualty Service, £20,000 odd; 3,000 additional uniforms for volunteers, £21,000; grants to local authorities, £80,000 odd; grant payments to voluntary aid societies as compensation for the use of the uniforms of members who are also members of Civil Defence, £5,000 odd, and the printing of a home protection handbook, £20,000.
The provision of £450,000 under Subhead H—Defensive Equipment—is the same as that for 1963/64, and the proposed purchases for 1964/65 represent a further instalment towards building up mobilisation stocks of defensive equipment. As I have previously informed the House, what we spend on equipment of this nature, though not large, is spent to the best advantage on modern and up-to-date conventional arms.
There is an increase of £31,870 in Subhead J — Mechanical Transport. This increase is largely for the purchase of new jeep-type trucks in replacement of vehicles written-off in the Congo. Appropriate payment has been made by the United Nations in respect of the written-off vehicles. Stocks of uniform clothing on hands are expected to be greater at the end of March than they were last year and purchases will not be necessary to the same extent as previously — hence the reduction of £75,800 in Subhead M—Clothing and Equipment. Somewhat more than one-half of the increase of £71,399 in Subhead 0.1. —General Stores—is due to the proposed purchase of aircraft and spares and the remainder to the proposed provision of Civil Defence Operational Equipment for the Defence Forces. There is a substantial reduction in Subhead O.2.—Helicopters. The provision for 1964/65 includes £127,000 in respect of the balance of the cost of three helicopters and spares ordered in 1963/64 with further sums in respect of the purchase of a support vehicle and three refuelling trailers for use on operations throughout the country and fuels, oils and maintenance.
The increase of £28,033 under Subhead S — Buildings — is principally attributable to proposed new works, and this is also reflected in Subhead F where there is an increase of £23,521. As indicated earlier, provision is not made for the 12 per cent increase in pay, the annual cost of which is estimated at £105,000. The new works include the modernisation of men's billet blocks, a new radiac workshop for the repair of radiac instruments, a new men's canteen in Baldonnel, the heating of an officers' mess and men's dining halls, new accommodation for An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil in rural areas, the modernisation of soldiers' married quarters of the old type and work on new houses for soldiers in Athlone.
Subhead X—Travelling and Incidental Expenses—requires a little explanation. The actual amount voted under this subhead for 1963/64 was £81,761, of which £53,950 was in respect of telegrams, telephones, postage, etc. The last-mentioned amount will now be seen under 1963/ 64 in the new Subhead Y—Post Office Services. As against the balance— £27,811, the amount provided for this year in Subhead X is £42,407, an increase of £14,596. This arises partly from the increased provision for advertisements and there are also small increases in a number of other respects. The new Subhead Y is for a sum of £100,300, including amounts in respect of postal services, handling of stores and miscellaneous matters which were previously what are known as "Allied Services" not provided for specifically in the Vote.
Provision for a grant-in-aid of £23,600 for Cumann Croise Deirge na hÉireann is made in Subhead BB. This includes a sum of £5,000 for the Emergency Relief Fund. I might mention that in the past year assistance to the amount of about £3,000 has been given from this Fund to distressed areas in the Yemen, Indonesia and Yugoslavia. Cumann Croise Deirge na hÉireann is continuing its excellent work in many spheres and I take this opportunity to express once more my appreciation of its manifold activities in the various fields of humanitarian relief.
As the Estimate for Pensions is being discussed together with that for Defence, it is no doubt appropriate that at this point I should say something about pensions. The Estimate for Pensions is for a net sum of £2,270,650, being an increase of £45,295 over this year's figure. The provision at Subhead A does not include anything in respect of the pay increase. Subhead B—Wound and Disability Pensions and Gratuities— shows a decrease of £9,500, offset to some extent by an increase of £4,500 in Subhead C—Allowances and Gratuities to Dependants. The largest increase is that of £48,700 in Subhead E in respect of retired pay and pensions under the Defence Forces (Pensions) Schemes. There is a slight decrease of £3,000 in the provision in Subhead H for Special Allowances. Here it is not a case of a decrease in the numbers in receipt of special allowances, but of more recipients reaching the age of 70 years, when lower "appropriate annual sums" apply. There is a new Subhead K—Post Office Services— with a provision of £4,000.
As Deputies are aware, Budgetary increases in pensions and allowances generally were granted with effect from the 1st November last. Pensions related to rank were brought up to December, 1959, levels, and all other pensions and allowances, except special allowances, were increased by 5 per cent. For special allowances purposes, all the "appropriate annual sums" were increased by £4, being 5 per cent of the average special allowance. I hope soon to introduce the legislation covering those increases which are, however, being paid on foot of a Supplementary Estimate voted by the House.
In concluding the debate, I shall be glad to answer, to the best of my ability, any questions which Deputies may wish to ask and to supply any additional information required.