asked the Minister for Defence if he is satisfied with the present situation where Army Medical Corps officers are being transferred every year to new posts; and the action he proposes to take in the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Army Medical Corps Officers Transfers.
16.
The transfer of officers of the Permanent Defence Force is a matter for the military authorities. I am satisfied that transfers are made in the best interests of the Defence Forces.
How can the Minister be so satisfied when, as he is aware, the position obtains where medical personnel serving in the Defence Forces are being transferred on an annual and biannual basis? Surely the Minister agrees that this is not satisfactory, that there is an obvious shortage of personnel and a need for immediate action on his part to stop the disgraceful constant transferring of medical doctors from one Command to another and from one post to another throughout the country and, as we see now, to the Lebanon for second trips on a detailed compulsory basis?
The shortage of people in the Army Medical Corps has caused some difficulties but they are being obviated now by the introduction of new members. I have some supplementary information in regard to this question to the effect that two doctors were appointed under a short service commission scheme in April this year and five more are expected to take up duty on 1 January 1985. Those extra personnel will improve matters in the Corps. To suggest, as the Deputy has, that there is a harsh or unfair regime is unfair to the Director and the senior officers of the Corps. It is a small Corps and they have to work together. I have no doubt that the conditions of service are devised to ensure the maximum of co-operation between all members and in ease of all members.
Is it a fact that the medical officer who was the subject matter of the earlier question, his transfer to the Lebanon, had been transferred annually to a different barracks? Is that true or not?
I do not have the details of every officer's postings in my file.
What about this officer? He brought the Minister to court lately.
I have heard that complaint about this officer who has since retired from the Permanent Defence Forces after he failed in an unprecendented action ——
No one could blame him. He was forced out. It was disgraceful.
—— by a military officer concerning orders given to him by his superior officers.
I hope the Minister never gets sick in Athlone.
Is it not very inhuman treatment to be forcing personnel out of the Army Medical Corps or any section of the Army or the public service on transfer year after year?
He is a married man with a family. That was scandalous and the Minister knows it. He should not be trying to defend it here. It was disgraceful.
Will the Minister give the House an assurance that this will not continue?
As far as possible Army personnel, and their domestic commitments, are taken into account ——
They were not taken into account in this case and the Minister knows this. The Minister should not be trying to put a gloss on this. The action was disgraceful.
The Deputy should permit me to finish. When people join the Army they become subject to the exigencies of the service and those exigencies may demand postings away from their families. That is one of the consequences of joining the Permanent Defence Forces.
The Minister will not have any Army if he does not keep up the morale of the men. One would think they were at war.