asked the Minister for Defence if he will make a statement on security in military establishments under his control, in view of the fact that employees of other Government Departments can gain admission to GHQ without the possession of proper identity cards; and if he will arrange to have such cards issued free of charge to such employees.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Military Establishment Security.
5.
I am satisfied that the security arrangements at the Department of Defence, Parkgate, which includes Army Headquarters, and at military establishments generally are appropriate and adequate, and that identity cards as suggested by the Deputy are not necessary.
I take it that employees of other Departments can get into this barracks without proper identity cards. Is it not true that contractors, such as Dockrells, doing contract work can also get into the barracks without proper identity cards and does the Minister consider this adequate security in the principal barracks in the State?
I am there myself most days and, therefore, I can observe what goes on. The position is that when people are recognised and their bona fides properly established they are let in. The staff are rarely changed and there is constant contact between the gate office and the main office? If the Deputy calls to visit me he has to be identified by me. No one gets past the gate until such time as he is recognised and his bona fides established. Whether it is people from Dockrells or from other State Departments that form of screening is fully adequate.
People must be aware that even temporary workers in the Office of Public Works have the right of admission without proper identity cards. This applies also to Areas an Uachtaráin and barracks throughout the country and will the Minister please give an undertaking to tighten up security on these installations before something happens?
Nobody has the right of entry until his bona fides are checked and established. Those who look after this matter advise me and they have advised me that the present system is the one that should obtain. A full-scale appraisal of the situation was done within the last six months and, as a result of that, I myself saw Board of Works employees working on certain things in relation to security which I had been advised should be done. Everything that should be done is being done. Suggesting another modus operandi does not necessarily mean it would be the right one. The one being used is regarded as the right one and I am quite happy about that.
If a person wishes to go to the restaurant in the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries he has to have a special picture taken and a special identity card. Surely the main defence nerve centre of our Army should have at least as good security as that exercised in the restaurant in the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.
The Deputy suggests that the security system in Cathal Brugha is not as good as that exercised in the restaurant of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries. I regard it as much better. One has to be recognised and one's bona fides established. One has to be vouched for. That will happen even if it is Deputy Lemass, Deputy Dowling or the Minister for Local Government. Everyone has to be vouched for and recognised and his bona fides established. That, in my view, is a much better method than the cards the Deputy speaks of. Anybody can have a card.
And a photograph.
I am not disposed to argue as to whether the military authorities are right or wrong. I take it that their modus operandi is the right one.
Drivers may be recognised but it is possible that helpers could give fictitious identifications. It seems to me a very loose form of security.
It is also possible for people to have identification cards in their pockets which do not belong to them.
With their photographs on them.
Photographs can be changed.
Try getting into the restaurant in the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.