asked the Minister for Defence whether there are recognised procedures to be followed by Army personnel in communicating with the Minister for Defence; if so, what are those procedures; whether it is permissible or usual for a member of the Defence Forces on matters affecting his official duties to communicate or have a personal interview with the Minister for Defence without the knowledge of that member's superior officers; and whether it is considered misconduct to communicate or to endeavour to communicate with a higher authority without going through one's immediate superiors.
Written Answers. - Army Communication Chain.
127.
Ordinarily three members of the Defence Forces, the chief of staff, the adjutant-general and the quarter-master-general, have the right of direct communication with the Minister for Defence. This stems from the fact that each of them is directly responsible to the Minister for the performance of the duties specifically assigned to him pursuant to section 13 of the Defence Act, 1954.
Communication with the Minister on personal matters is forbidden except in the case of redress of wrongs under section 114 of the Act, and the procedure to be followed in the transmission of complaints under this heading is prescribed in Defence Force regulations.
As to matters affecting his official duties, it is not normally permissible, nor is it the custom of the service, for a member of Defence Forces to communicate with or have a personal interview with the Minister without the knowledge of his superior officers, and it would normally be considered misconduct to communicate or to endeavour to communicate with a higher authority without going through one's immediate superiors.