asked the Minister for Defence if it is the practice in the Defence Forces, when enlisting recruits from Northern Ireland, to require a reference from the RUC; and if he is aware that prospective recruits from Northern Ireland have been refused enlistment without such a reference.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Army Recruits from Northern Ireland.
50.
It is not the practice, when enlisting recruits from Northern Ireland in the Defence Forces, to require references from the RUC and I am not aware that prospective recruits from that area have been refused enlistment without such references.
Is the Minister aware that two recruits were refused membership at the FCA centre at Ballymote, which is a recruiting centre, and got vouchers to travel to Galway? They were kept overnight in Galway and turned out the next day. One lad from County Derry was told he would not be accepted because he had not a reference from the RUC. Is the Minister further aware that the second boy, from County Sligo, who was vouched for by the FCA officer, was also turned down because he did not have a reference from his father but had one from his mother? Is the Minister further aware that those boys were turned out and were not even given vouchers to go home? If I supply the Minister with particulars, will he have the matter investigated?
The Deputy's question relates to the refusal of recruits because they did not have references from the RUC. In his supplementary questions, he quotes one case and I believe that when I shall have it investigated, as I intend to do, I shall not find that any officer of the Army refused a recruit because he had not a reference from the RUC.