andMr. Moore asked the Minister for Defence if he has any plans for the introduction of Army transport to help the people of Dublin in their present plight.
Ceisteanna-Questions. Oral Answers. - Army Transport.
86.
Prior to the car bombings in Dublin and Monaghan on 17th May, 1974, plans had been prepared in my Department for the provision of a skeleton service by way of Army lorries during the present transport strike in Dublin. Because however of security commitments following the bombings the plans could not be implemented.
Would the Minister say if the reason for these security commitments has now vanished and that his original good intentions in respect of the skeleton service may be put into operation?
Security commitments change from day to day. The necessity for great security has not vanished at this stage. We can review the matter from time to time but at this time greater security is necessary all over the country.
These lorries are garaged in certain barracks in the city and you would need these lorries in case of an emergency. Surely the fact that they were on the streets would not interfere to any appreciable extent with what might be in mind as regards a greater need?
The disposition of Army lorries and personnel is a matter for decision by high-ranking officers of the Army. I would not interfere with it. If it is possible to help, help will certainly be afforded. At this point in time it is not possible to help. Changes there may be.
Would it be possible to allocate some of the Civil Defence vans for this job? They have a number of very fine vans. I see them being used for exercise purposes only. Also, a number of big firms have staff members in the FCA and could there not be some liaison between these men and the Army so that the men could drive the lorries for the bigger firms, taking people off the road with them? I think if the Minister examined this he could work out some scheme with Civil Defence, the FCA and the Army.
That is a separate question. All these aspects have been considered and I am sorry to say that help cannot be afforded at this time. The Deputy will realise that there are heavy security commitments.
Is the Minister saying that help cannot be made available because the Chiefs of Staff are in control of the matter and that he will not interfere with their rulings? Is that the position?
No. What I am saying is that I must take the best advice I can get and the disposition of troops and lorries requires advice to be given to me. The disposition of troops and lorries requires that advice be given to me. I demand from the Chiefs-of-Staff of the Army that in times of high security there must be the best possible security. Consequent on that, it is not possible to afford the help asked for at this time. As a responsible Minister I must take the advice I get and, on that basis, make my decision.
Will the Minister say how many Army lorries there are available? I accept that there is a serious security situation and we must give that high priority, but I cannot understand why there are not sufficient personnel and Army lorries available.
I have some extra information I can give the Deputy. In 1966 some 94 lorries were made available but, of course, Dublin city was much smaller then. Before extra security was absolutely necessary, the best assessment I got was that we might have been able to afford 70 lorries. We are not able to afford any at this moment.
Can the Minister give us some good news from the Minister for Labour? Can he tell us if the strike has been settled?
That is not my responsibility and I have no information on the matter.
It is a separate question. I am calling Question No. 87.