asked the Minister for Defence when Finner Camp, County Donegal will be classed as a permanent army camp and when a full-time CO will be appointed.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Donegal Army Camp.
42.
As I recently announced, I propose to establish two new battalions in the Border areas, one of which will be based at Finner Camp. Inherent in the proposal is a review of the present status of the military posts, including Finner Camp, in which the battalions will be based. The other is at Dundalk, I hope to have this review completed as soon as possible.
Can the Minister tell us whether it will be a matter of weeks or months before this decision is reached?
I cannot tell the Deputy that because, among other things, I am endeavouring to encourage young men in this country to realise that they have not only a duty but an opportunity to serve their country by joining the Army, even for a short time. The whole matter of Finner and Dundalk is tied up with Border security. Traditionally, Finner Camp was used as a summer training camp and minimal staff were provided during the winter period for maintenance purposes. However, since autumn of 1969 the camp has been occupied by a substantial number of military personnel on a year round basis. Under present arrangements, units based at Finner Camp rotate every three months. This period was determined with a view to achieving the maximum operational efficiency without causing too much domestic hardship. I regret that some domestic hardship is necessary. With the establishment of the two new battalions mentioned in the reply, Finner Camp will become a permanent military post and the appointment of an officer commanding the post will be a permanent appointment.
Did I hear the Minister say that he was endeavouring to encourage people to join the Army?
Yes.
Is the Minister aware that, following representations by me, a person who was rejected by the Army in the first instance was then accepted and considered to be of the calibre required for that life? In such circumstances would the Minister not call for a review of the manner in which applications for enlistment are dealt with by the Army?
Is the Deputy saying that a person on whose behalf he made representations, was subsequently accepted by the Army authorities?
He was rejected initially but was accepted afterwards, being of the right calibre, obviously.
All I remember about that case was that the candidate was examined a second time but at this moment I do not know whether he was accepted.
Is this an indication——
The question deals with Finner Camp.
I know that he was accepted subsequently.
(Interruptions.)
There is much noise from the other side of the House but not one of them was prepared to carry a gun when there was need for that.
This is a matter of principle. It was claimed by the enlisting officer that the boy concerned was illiterate. This was an awful reflection on him and caused him much concern.
This is a separate question.
It is important in view of what the Minister has said. In the interest of people who are anxious to join the Army—and it is important for the security of our State that there should be young people prepared to join the Army—would the Minister consider whether the regulations regarding enlistment are too strict?
These are Fianna Fáil regulations.
The Minister has had his mileage on that.
In view of the nature of the aside from the Minister for Local Government, he should be asked to withdraw the insult that he levelled at Members on this side who have served in voluntary forces.
Has the Deputy a supplementary question?
He is a petty little man, making a petty speech. He has not realised yet that he is on the other side.
The situation is vice versa.
I am calling Question No. 43.
The Chair agreed to allow me ask a supplementary.
Yes, but the Deputy embarked on a different matter.
This was because after I sought permission to ask a supplementary, the Minister for Local Government——
Has the Deputy a supplementary question to put to the Minister?
Yes.
Was Deputy O'Connell's supplementary relevant to Finner Camp?
Am I to take it that the Minister intends establishing a permanent Army post at Finner?
Yes.
My experience of Finner Camp is that it comprises a number of what look like temporary buildings. In view of the Minister's decision, is it proposed to construct new permanent buildings there to house Army personnel?
I would not agree that the buildings at Finner, which I have inspected, are temporary buildings.
Many of them are of that nature.
The question of erecting permanent buildings there has not been dealt with up to the present. But my inspection of Army buildings during the past three months has brought to my notice that some of the billets are very bad and are worse than those at Finner. We must do a lot of building at Army camps to rectify this situation. After all, we have 16 years of catching up to do.
There was provision for that in this year's Estimate.
The remaining Questions will appear on the Order Paper for the next sitting day.