asked the Minister for Defence the role the FCA will play in the present serious security situation; and the future plans he has for this force.
16.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Defence Forces Strength.
15.
asked the Minister for Defence the plans he has to increase the strength of the permanent Defence Forces and the FCA.
I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 15 and 16 together.
The intensive recruiting campaign to increase the strength of the permanent Defence Force is continuing. The strength of An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil is being maintained at a satisfactory level.
Members of An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil are employed on security duties. The organisation and role of An Fórsa are being kept under review.
The Minister has not really answered Question No. 15. What is the role of the FCA today? It is obvious there is a closer liaison with the permanent Defence Forces.
The FCA help out. The Deputy will appreciate that An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil is not available at all times in the same way as members of the permanent Defence Forces are. We are examining the position with a view to getting the best value we can from An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil in the very serious position in which we find ourselves today. The total number of the permanent Defence Forces on 11th April, 1973, was 11,333, including 184 cadets, as against 10,581 on the corresponding date last year.
Now that our troops have been brought back from their peace keeping mission with the United Nations Forces abroad could the Minister state is this a permanent decision or is it one which, if the situation relaxes here, will be revised and the troops will again be going abroad?
That hardly arises on this question.
It arises very much.
I am glad to inform the Deputy that it is not a permanent decision and, if things improved here, we would hope to take our place with the United Nations again.
May I ask the Minister if it is within his jurisdiction, or his wisdom so to do, to tell the people just what is the role of the Army and the FCA, whether any major change has been devised recently as a result of recent happenings which surely should have meant a change from whatever they are doing now to what they may be doing in the future?
As a result of recent happenings?
Recent happenings within the foreshores of the country.
The answer to that question is that I would need a long speech to tell the Deputy the duties of the armed forces in this country. But one of their duties is to provide security, in aid of the civil power, in aid of the Garda, under the 1954 Act. The claims made on the forces in this regard vary from day to day according as the situation varies.
Is the Minister satisfied that this is the role being played by the Army in the recent past and, if it is so, whether he regards it as being adequately so or whether there are fair grounds for the belief that we are merely acting as "auxies", in other words, auxiliaries to the British Army?
The Deputy is introducing a new matter altogether.
The implication contained in the Deputy's remark is entirely incorrect; we are doing our own job for our own country.