asked the Minister for Defence whether his attention has been drawn to the statement by the Commander of the Naval Service that there is only one naval cadet in training at present and that there was a serious lack of officers in the service; whether any attention has been given to this matter; and if he will make a statement thereon.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Naval Cadets.
34.
I am aware of the statement referred to by the Deputy. Every effort is being made to remedy the shortage of officers in the Naval Service. The matter is being approached in two ways, namely, by seeking to recruit cadets for training as naval officers and by seeking to obtain qualified officers on a temporary basis for a period of three years.
A competition is at present being held for the recruitment of naval cadets and it is proposed to advertise again in the near future for qualified temporary officers. In this latter connection I would like to mention that, in addition to the substantial improvements which have been made in the pay of naval officers generally within the past year, there is provision for the payment of a generous gratuity to temporary officers over their three-year period of service. There is also provision for granting a permanent commission to temporary officers who are considered suitable for, and are prepared to accept, such a commission.
As a result of the measures I have mentioned, coupled with the new image of the Naval Service which has been created by equipping it with the three coastal minesweepers and the new all-weather fishery protection vessel due for delivery next year, I am hopeful that it will be possible to solve the problem of the shortage of officers in the Naval Service.
At a time when the Minister for Foreign Affairs is advising us that he is fighting hard to retain the 12-mile limit in EEC conditions it is a bit of a shock to realise that we have one cadet in training in our Naval Service to protect that 12-mile limit. I understand that some of the new vessels which have been bought cannot be put to sea for lack or shortage of manpower. Is the Minister aware that whatever may be won around the negotiating table, if we have only three ships and insufficient manpower to put them to sea, it does not matter if we win a 50-mile limit because EEC countries will poach within this limit? The Minister is assuring us at this hour in the day that we have one cadet in training to defend our coastal waters and surely this is an absurd situation. The Minister does not reassure us that this will correct the situation.
The Deputy has disregarded the vast improvement which has taken place within the Naval Service. I confess it was a problem earlier but the Naval Service is now greatly improved by way of additional equipment and appropriate steps are being taken to enlist cadets and provide the necessary number of qualified officers.
Has the section of the Department of Defence concerned with the navy considered what their duties may be under EEC conditions? Have any plans been laid down or does the Department consider we can go on as we have done in the past? Does the Minister feel we need any new form of vessel to protect our fishery limits?
We cannot fully anticipate the requirements under EEC conditions.
Is the Minister saying that his Department have not considered this problem worthy of examination at the present time?
We cannot anticipate——
(Interruptions.)
We have one naval officer in reserve.
Has any consideration been given to the improvement of pay and conditions for officers in the Naval Service in order to attract personnel?
That is a separate question.
If the Naval Service is short of manpower surely it could be made more attractive and lucrative by offering better terms?
The terms are quite attractive. We hear nothing but criticism of the Naval Service from the Opposition benches.
That is nonsense.
The Opposition are jealous of the progress that has been made.
The Department paid £600,000 for three ships which were only worth £75,000. They cannot even run a business.
We are concerned because it is clear from the relevant Minister's statement that the service he envisages could not even patrol Lough Neagh never mind our coastal waters.
In view of the fact that we paid £600,000 for three boats which we could have bought for £75,000 it is relevant to ask the Minister if consideration has been given to any improvement in pay and conditions for the Naval Service.
The Deputy should put down that question.
We do not even have the manpower to use the boats we have bought.
The Deputy has made sweeping and unfounded criticism of the Naval Service.
Nonsense. I would not send the Minister out to buy a packet of sweets.