Skip to main content
Normal View

Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 25 Nov 1971

Vol. 257 No. 3

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Overseas Army Telephone Facilities.

127.

asked the Minister for Defence whether he would examine the possibility of providing for Army personnel serving overseas every facility towards telephoning their families on Christmas Day and that such facilities are provided at a subsidised fee.

The question of subsidising the fee for such calls is not one which could be favourably considered. I understand that for technical reasons and because of operational commitments only a very limited number would be in a position to telephone their families on Christmas Day.

Would the Minister not consider giving them this benefit considering the Irish Army in Cyprus is rarely visited by a member of this Government but every other army that is represented there is visited by a representative of their countries at least once a month?

The Irish contingent in Cyprus has been visited and will be visited by representatives of the Irish Government, perhaps not at Christmas time but at other times.

When was the last visit by a representative of the Irish Government to the Irish Army in Cyprus?

In October, 1970 and it is proposed to have a further one.

That is over a year ago.

Home commitments are very pressing at the moment and it is not easy for Government Ministers to travel overseas when we have problems at home.

Top
Share