asked the Minister for Defence the results of the courtmartial of two military policemen in November 1982 who were charged with assaulting a third military policeman with violence in order to stop him from informing the authorities that they were leaving the Army to take up security posts in South Africa; if there is any connection between this case and the report published in a newspaper (details supplied) in the United Kingdom that an official of the South African Embassy in Britain was recruiting British soldiers as mercenaries to fight in the navy; and if, in view of the suspicion that the South Africans are recruiting members of the Irish Army, he will indicate the steps he intends to take to prevent this happening in future.
Ceisteanna—Questions Oral Answers - Military Policemen's Courtmartial.
17.
The courtmartial referred to by the Deputy resulted in the acquittal of both men on the assault charges. I am not aware of any connection between the courtmartial and the newspaper report mentioned.
Section 312 (1) (a) of the Defence Act, 1954, provides that it shall not be lawful for any person:
to induce, procure or persuade any person in the State to accept or agree to accept any commission or engagement in any military, naval or air force maintained by the Government of any other State.
I am not aware of any attempts at present by any foreign country to recruit members of the Defence Forces.
Is the Minister satisfied that there is no outside recruitment within our Defence Forces or within the Twenty-six Counties, that South African recruiters are not seeking members to participate in the South African army, navy or air force? Is the Minister satisfied this is not happening and that there are not agents acting on behalf of the South African forces in our jurisdiction?
I have absolutely no evidence to suggest that any such recruitment is taking place. If the Deputy has any such evidence I should be glad to receive it.
Is the Minister satisfied, as a result of the courtmartial, that there was no evidence given there that would indicate there was some truth in what happened to the two individuals in question?
I am absolutely satisfied. Even in his question the Deputy does not make that allegation. He suggested that the alleged assault, of which the members were acquitted, took place in connection with the two men being offered a security post. There was no evidence for that either.
Will the Minister agree that this is an area in which we should be very vigilant? I will leave it at that.
I can assure the Deputy that the Army authorities are vigilant in this as in all other areas concerning the well-being of their forces.
In view of the revelations published in the new current affairs magazine, The Phoenix, about espionage activities in the Thirty-two Counties by intelligence-gathering operations carried out by outside groups, is the Minister satisfied there is no subversion within the Defence Forces that would lead to recruitment in this area?
I can only repeat what I have said twice to the Deputy. I have absolutely no evidence of any such recruitment or subversion.
I accept the word of the Minister and I appreciate his assurance on the matter.