Vol. 221 No. 14
asked the Minister for Defence whether any officers of the FCA in Dublin were recently summoned before their Brigade Commanders; if so, for what purpose; whether the Council of Defence considered the matter; and if having regard to the effect upon morale caused by such actions he will make a statement on the matter.
25.
asked the Minister for Defence if having regard to widespread public concern at reports of disciplinary action against persons who attended a meeting of officers of the FCA recently in Birr he will make a statement on the matter.
26.
asked the Minister for Defence whether restrictions are imposed on the formation of associations of officers or men of the FCA or the Reserve Defence Force; if so, the statutory or other authority for such restrictions; and whether he will remove such restrictions.
27.
asked the Minister for Defence whether any communication was recently sent to members of the FCA with reference to the proposed formation of an officers' association; if so, the contents thereof; and the statutory or other authority for such communications.
28.
asked the Minister for Defence when is a member of the Reserve Defence Force subject to military law (i) as an officer and (ii) as a man.
29.
asked the Minister for Defence if he will explain why letters were sent early in March by the Army authorities to FCA officers warning them that forming an association without his approval would be a breach of military law in view of (a) the constitutional right of free assembly and of forming unions and associations and (b) section 118 of the Defence Act, 1954 which does not appear to apply to the formation of such an association.
30.
asked the Minister for Defence whether he is aware of the anxiety among FCA officers and men regarding their rights as citizens to assemble freely and to form associations or unions, having regard to the letter sent by the Army authorities to the FCA officers; and if he will clarify the position.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take together Questions Nos. 24 to 30, inclusive.
Command of the Defence Forces is exercisable by the Government acting through and by the Minister for Defence pursuant to section 17 (1) of the Defence Act, 1954. A fundamental principle of command is the duty to ensure that good orders and discipline are maintained in the Defence Forces. The Minister may consider the formation of associations of officers of the Reserve of Officers, including the FCA and An Slua Muirí or of men of the Reserve of Men, including the FCA and An Slua Muirí, provided that the draft constitution, objects and rules of any such association are submitted to him for his prior approval and are in no way prejudicial to the good order and discipline of the Defence Forces.
On 26th February, 1966, an advertisement appeared in the public press indicating the formation of an Officers' Association and purporting to convene a general meeting of officers of the FCA and An Slua Muirí at Birr on 6th March, 1966. The method employed by the organisers was to ignore the proper procedure and to convene this meeting to be attended by officers in civilian attire without prior consultation with their superiors and without disclosing their intentions or objects.
When this matter came to the notice of the Military authorities, officers of the FCA and An Slua Muirí were asked to attend conferences with Brigade and other Commanders at which they were advised in accordance with the foregoing principle in regard to attendance at meetings at which the direction and control of the FCA and An Slua Muirí might be questioned. A communication to this effect was sent to each Officer of the Reserve of Officers — First Line, FCA, and Slua Muirí. The matter was not considered by the Council of Defence. The action was taken by the appropriate military authorities with my full approval.
Officers and men of the Reserve Defence Force are subject to military law in the circumstances provided for respectively in sections 118 (1) (b) and (c) and 119 (b) of the Defence Act, 1954. Their liability for service is governed by, in the case of officers, Defence Force Regulations R.1, paragraph 10; R. 5, paragraph 35 ; and R. 6 paragraph 41; and in the case of men by sections 87 to 95 of the Defence Act, 1954.
I am advised that the constitutional or legal rights of members of the Defence Forces have not been infringed in this matter and consequently the question of reassuring such members in regard thereto does not arise.
Does the Minister not agree that this question of trying to impose military discipline on a group of people who are, in fact, civilians, has made for a lot of bad feeling which otherwise could have been avoided?
I do not agree with what the Deputy says.
Does the Minister consider that his action has helped to encourage the people who are at present trying to make a success of the FCA to stay in it. Does he not agree that this sort of stupid action of trying to impose military discipline on a group of civilians should not have been tried by his Department? The Minister has no reply to that.
I have, if I want to.
Next question.
Would the Minister be allowed to give the reply? He says he has one.
If the Minister wishes to reply.
He does not, because he has not any reply.
No money.
