asked the Minister for Defence when the allowances of troops on United Nations peace-keeping work were last increased; and if he proposes to make representations to have these allowances increased.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - UN Peace Keeping Force.
134.
The overseas allowances for Irish military personnel serving with the United Nations Force in Cyprus were fixed in March, 1964, at the rates which applied for service in the Congo during the period 1960-64. The rates are regarded as reasonable and it is not proposed to increase them.
Surely the Minister must agree that if the rates were only reasonable in 1964 they cannot continue to be so in 1970?
The overseas allowance is only part of the soldier's remuneration. In fact, I think it is found very satisfactory by serving soldiers in general. When new contingents are going to service in Cyprus, it is usual to have very full applications from the Army for selection in the units being sent out.
The Minister will appreciate that the question was put down because of dissatisfaction among the people concerned that there has been no change since 1964?
I think the allowances being paid are satisfactory. I am sure Deputy Clinton is familiar with the actual daily rates. I should be surprised if he, too, did not think them satisfactory.
When the Minister says they were revised in 1964 is it not a fact that that merely re-affirmed the allowances that had been fixed as far back as 1960? In fact, they have remained unchanged since 1960?
Yes.
How could that be considered reasonable?
The soldier's basic pay has been adjusted several times since.
The overseas allowance must surely be designed to provide purchasing power for the soldier in relation to the cost of living in the place where he goes. Is it suggested that the cost of living has not risen in Cyprus in ten years? What is "reasonable" in the context?
It seems to be a separate question.
I do not think so.
It is one of Deputy FitzGerald's peculiar questions.
I hesitate to refer him to Chamber's Dictionary down in the Library.
What word did I use that would provide the reference?
135.
asked the Minister for Defence why the wives of Army troops visiting their husbands in the UN have their fares paid from London but not from Dublin.
Wives of Irish troops visiting their husbands at United Nations mission overseas do so at their own expense and the travel arrangements are made by themselves or their husbands.
Where, however, it is a question of visiting a soldier who is dangerously ill the Department pays the return airfare from Dublin.
Is what I said not correct, namely, that the fares are paid from London but not from Ireland for people serving overseas? Why is this so?
I have no evidence that this is so. I do not know that this is the case.
This has been put to me.