asked the Minister for Defence the circumstances in which free travel warrants are issued to (i) naval service personnel, (ii) other military personnel; in the case of the naval service if they are issued to facilitate travel from Haulbowline and the homes of personnel when on leave; the average number issued; and if he will consider improving travel facilities for naval service personnel who wish to travel home when on leave.
Written Answers. - Free Travel Warrants.
308.
Free travelling warrants are issuable to personnel of the Permanent Defence Force (including the Naval Service) as follows: (a) to all personnel when travelling on duty, when proceeding on sick leave and in connection with transfers of station; (b) to officers on resignation or retirement from the Permanent Defence Force; (c) to other ranks personnel when proceeding on leave with pay, on discharge from the Permanent Defence Force or on transfer to the Reserve Defence Force.
Not more than two free warrants per year may be issued to other ranks personnel when proceeding on leave with pay (other than sick leave).
In relation to the Naval Service, free travelling warrants for personnel proceeding on leave normally cover the return journey from the nearest public transport stopping point to Haulbowline, that is Cobh or Ringaskiddy, to the nearest public transport stopping point to the man's home address.
The facilities available to naval personnel in this regard are the same as those available to other military personnel and it is not proposed to alter them.