andMr. Spring asked the Minister for Defence whether it is correct that members of the Defence Forces are debarred from joining political parties; and if this includes members of the FCA, as a statement to this effect has appeared.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Defence Forces and Political Party Membership.
43.
The Defence Act, 1954, prescribes that a member of the Permanent Defence Force shall not join, or be a member of, or subscribe to, any political organisation or society.
Members of the Reserve Defence Force, including members of An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil, while not called out on permanent service, are not debarred from joining political parties but Defence Force Regulations prescribe that such members, while called out on permanent service, shall not join or be members of, or subscribe to, or canvass or collect for, any political organisation or society whatsoever.
The Minister had better not try to enforce that regulation. His membership would drop considerably.