, Limerick West): I move:
That a sum not exceeding £260,270,000 be granted to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of December, 1987, for the salaries and expenses of the Office of the Minister for Defence, including certain services administered by that Office; for the pay and expenses of the Defence Forces; and for payment of certain grants-in-aid.
The Defence Estimate for the year ending 31 December 1987 is for a net sum of £260,270,000. This a reduction of £2.6 million or 1 per cent on the corresponding outturn figure of £262,870,000 for 1986. The gross provision in the 1987 Estimate is £269,140,000.
The major part of the 1987 Estimate — 78 per cent or £203,182,000 — provides for pay and allowances and this represents an increase of £7,655,000 on the outturn for 1986. The non-pay items amount to £65,958,000; the comparable 1986 figure was £76,785,000 but it included exceptional expenditure amounting to £13,850,000 on helicopter purchases. The 1987 provision of £8,870,000 for Appropriation-in-Aid shows a decrease of £572,000 on the 1986 outturn.
The Estimate is based on an average strength of 1,610 officers, 60 cadets and 11,900 other ranks — a total of 13,570 in the Permanent Defence Force. The average strengths for 1986 were 1,565 officers, 53 cadets and 12,362 other ranks.
Before I make any detailed comment in relation to the Estimate I should perhaps put on record again the fact that the Defence Forces serve the State in many ways beyond their primary role of defence against external aggression. Indeed, we look to them to carry out a wide range of duties to help to create a secure stable environment, to provide a final bulwark in times of emergency and to add their own element of lustre to the life of the nation. They are there at all times to render service necessary in carrying out their statutory role of aiding the civil power. They add to our international status as they serve the cause of peace as contingents of the United Nations. They support on request the regular emergency services and their skill and value in such areas as search and rescue and air ambulance missions are widely acknowledged. They are prominent too in the effort to preserve and develop the country's marine and coastal resources as they carry out their assigned fishery protection and marine oil pollution response roles.
Regrettably, the assigned task in relation to internal security matters continues to be a dominant role. While the Garda Síochána have primary responsibility in this regard, the Defence Forces have a vital supporting part to play. The present security situation, especially in the Border areas, necessitates the deployment of Army personnel and resources on a large scale to assist the Garda Síochána in the maintenance of the rule of law.
The necessary preoccupation with internal security imposes a heavy burden on the personnel of the Defence Forces. The following particulars of the main security tasks undertaken in the 12 months up to March 1987 will give some idea of the level of demand on them in this area: about 11,000 military parties were supplied in Border areas for checkpoint duties and over 12,000 joint Garda/Army checkpoints were set up; more than 10,000 patrols were sent out into the road network along the Border; escorts for explosives and blasting operations were provided on about 1,000 occasions; over 3,000 escorts for the movement of cash were provided; and over 200 requests for bomb disposal teams were handled. The Army also provide guards for the movement of prisoners and assist in searches for arms, ammunition and explosives. In addition, certain vital non-military installations are protected either by permanent military guards or by military patrols.
When the country is facing economic difficulties and when, because of the scarcity of financial resources, many drastic economies over a wide area have to be made, it is sad that we should be obliged to commit such a substantial amount of defence expenditure in this direction. However, such a commitment is essential to the stability and security of the country and it is a commitment to which the Government will continue to give top priority. This is the price which has to be paid to maintain our democratic institutions.
A rather similar role which is again worthy of special mention is the service rendered abroad by the Irish Defence Forces in the cause of international peace. Deputies will be well aware that our forces have a proud and honourable record in carrying out a number of United Nations peacekeeping missions.
At the present time, an Irish contingent of about 745 all ranks is serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon — UNIFIL. Eight members of the Permanent Defence Force are serving with the United Nations Force in Cyprus and 21 Irish officers are serving with the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation — UNTSO — in the Middle East. Through their dedication and selfless efforts in the cause of peace, these troops and other military personnel who have served the State overseas have brought credit to the Defence Forces and to Ireland.
It has been well demonstrated that our troops have the necessary attributes to make a success of the difficult task of peacekeeping. The personality of the peacekeeping soldier is of the utmost importance in fulfilling his role and he must show qualities of understanding, tact and firmness. The key to successful peacekeeping is impartiality coupled with adaptation to the cultural background of the groups encountered in the peace-keeping areas. It is fair to say that in this respect Irish soldiers have not been surpassed.
Personnel selected for overseas service undergo a rigorous programme of training designed to help them carry out their peacekeeping mission and to provide for their protection at times of stress and tension. In recent times troops of the Irish contingent serving with UNIFIL have been required to operate in difficult and often tense situations. Incidents involving firing at Irish troops or their positions, and other events such as confrontations at check-points, have occurred. All such incidents are protested about locally to the parties involved in the conflict and are also the subject of vigorous protests as necessary at diplomatic level.
Despite the difficulties which it has faced, UNIFIL remains an element for stability in south Lebanon. It plays a large part in protecting the local population from the activities of the Israeli forces and the so-called South Lebanon Army. Its presence is welcomed both by the local population and by the Lebanese Government. Since first participating in UNIFIL, Irish troops have worked for the benefit of the local people and they have contributed much to restoring peace and normality in their area of operations.
It is a matter of great regret that since August 1986 the unstable situation and the harassment of our troops has resulted in the deaths of three Irish personnel. I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute again to all those who have made the supreme sacrifice in pursuing the ideals of peace.
As Minister for Defence, I am particularly concerned about the safety and welfare of our troops in Lebanon and these matters are kept under constant review. I intend in the very near future to visit personnel of the Defence Forces serving in the Middle East and Lebanon to see for myself the conditions under which they are required to operate.
I should like to mention that Lieutenant-General Callaghan, who served for over five years as Force Commander, UNIFIL, will be retiring next month from his present appointment as Chief of Staff, UNTSO. I would like to avail of this opportunity to pay a well-deserved tribute to him for his distinguished service at home and abroad and to wish him well in his retirement.
The nation as a whole should take pride in the achievements of the Defence Forces over the years in peacekeeping operations. The international recognition which we have won as peacekeepers has enhanced Ireland's ability to speak out independently in the various matters of foreign policy and international affairs which concern us. For the wide range of duties which they perform, often in tedious and dangerous circumstances, the officers and men of the Defence Forces are indeed deserving of our gratitude. Their high standard of service which is given so willingly to the community is in the best traditions of the Defence Forces. They, together with the Garda Síochána, who act in defence of our institutions and basic freedoms, are entitled to our full support and commendations. People on a nine-to-five job may not always remember that the duties which our security forces perform often entail long absences from home and inevitably cause a disruption to family life. I am well aware of the support and encouragement given by the families of security personnel and they also deserve our gratitude and appreciation.
There are a number of specific matters which merit some comment and I should now like to advert to these items. I have already given a general picture of current strengths and commitments. The question of an intake of recruits later this year will be examined in the context of the general financial constraints and the overall budgetary situation. The overriding consideration, however, is the adequacy of numbers to meet requirements and this will continue to be the guiding principle.
The pay and conditions of service generally of members of the Defence Forces continue to be maintained at a reasonable level. The Government are concerned to ensure that the remuneration of the Defence Forces keeps pace with that of other sectors of the public service. The starting pay of a recruit is now almost £130 per week. After about 14 weeks' basic training it rises to £150. On advancement to private three star, gross pay rises to over £155, while after three years' service, the gross pay of a private is over £170. I am sure that the House will agree that these rates of pay are reasonable.
Allowances are payable to officers and men who perform duties of a security nature. The rates of these allowances are kept constantly under review to ensure that personnel are adequately compensated for the duties which they are required to undertake. These allowances were increased by 3 per cent with effect from 1 January 1987. The current rates of allowances for service in the Border areas are £21.91 per week for officers and £19.04 per week for men, while the allowances for other duties in aid of the civil power such as guard duties on vital installations, cash escorts and prisoner escorts were increased to £9.33 for each week-day and £18.66 for each Sunday or Army holiday.
Education and training in the Defence Forces are very important. At present there are 86 officers attending full time at university and similar institutions. In addition, members of the Permanent Defence Force who attend educational courses in their own time may be recouped costs of tuition and examinations. In association with AnCO there is a scheme whereby apprentices may be qualified in various trades.
Competitions for the award of cadetships in the Army and Air Corps were held in 1986 and 44 cadetships, including four to female personnel were awarded. The question of further competitions for 1987 is at present being examined. Last year 59 apprenticeships in the Army Apprentice School, Naas, and the Air Corps Apprentice School, Baldonnel, were awarded.
Seventeen non-commissioned officers are at present attending a potential officers' course. The course, which is of nine months' duration, will finish in June 1987 and the successful participants will be commissioned as officers of the Permanent Defence Force.
As regards the FCA and Slua Muirí, I regret that it has again been found necessary to reduce annual training by seven days. The reduction continues to be necessary as part of the Government's programme for achieving reductions in the level of public expenditure. The saving involved is substantial, being almost £2 million. Notwithstanding the reduced period, however, it has again been decided that the gratuity payable to qualified members of the Reserve who complete the maximum permissible period in 1987 will be at the full rates and not at the reduced rates which would normally apply in respect of attendance at training for the shorter period.
In order to maintain the capability of the Defence Forces to carry out their various roles, the estimate provides almost £66 millions for non-pay including the maintenance and improvement of equipment. The programme of improvements will continue within the financial constraints necessarily imposed on all Government spending. Some modern equipment will be purchased this year and in this connection I wish to say that the replacement of the 7.62 mm FN Rifle, which has been used by the Defence Forces over the past 25 years is under consideration. A number of weapons have been undergoing evaluation by the military authorities and this process is expected to be concluded over the next few months. It is hoped it will be possible to place a contract for an initial supply of a new weapon before the end of this year.
All the new Dauphin helicopters have now been delivered and will be fully operational by the autumn. At present, a programme of familiarisation and training for personnel is nearing completion. The helicopters have already carried out a number of operations and when fully operational they will increase the capability of the Air Corps to fly in bad weather and over water and to provide improved search and rescue, and air ambulance services.
There is a continuous programme of improving uniform components in the light of modern developments. For instance, a new style working dress, composed of tunic and trousers or, alternatively, sweater and trousers, will be worn by personnel engaged in general duties thus reserving the service tunic and trousers for ceremonial parades and more formal occasions. In addition, a new style waterproof tunic and trousers, together with a field cap, will be worn over the combat uniform by personnel during periods of inclement weather.
Provision of £9 million is made in subhead S of the Estimate for building and engineering works as compared with last year's outturn of £8.8 million. This includes a capital sum of £6 million for new buildings and major refurbishment works. This provision will permit some improvements to be made in the accommodation and other facilities for the Defence Forces.
The proposed improvements include the construction of new billets; the building of new catering complexes; the development of recreational areas; the provision of new administrative and operational accommodation as well as the renovation and modernisation of existing accommodation.
In recent years new billets with modern amenities have been built at a number of locations. It is hoped to have contracts placed for further such billets at Cathal Brugha Barracks, Dublin, and Lifford Military Post, County Donegal in the near future. Renovations of existing billets will continue to have a high priority.
Work is proceeding at present on the building of a catering complex at Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel. Site clearance works for a new barracks at Cavan and hangar refurbishment work at Baldonnel are also under way. It is hoped to have a contract signed for the construction of the new Cavan barracks before the end of the year.
A new cookhouse/dining hall has recently been provided at Murphy Barracks, Ballincollig, County Cork. Arrangements are being made for the provision of similar accommodation at other locations. Major maintenance works such as reroofing and rewiring are also being undertaken.
While new accommodation and facilities are required in various locations, particularly in Border areas, we may question the need for the continued retention of some of the older barracks and posts which were built for conditions totally different from those obtaining today. The maintenance and operation of the older posts is expensive in manpower and money. With a view to a possible rationalisation, I am having the whole area examined to see whether our present dispositions are the most cost effective. It may well be that a number of locations can be designated as surplus to requirements.
The Department have for a long time been involved in equitation through the Army Equitation School; 1986 was a successful year for the school and Army riders won prize money in excess of £32,000.
Another special Departmental programme is the Asgard sail training scheme. "Asgard II" completed a full programme of cruises during 1986 involving 527 trainees. There was increased sponsorship of trainees during the year, including sponsorship by the probation and welfare service and the Youth Employment Agency. Sponsorship helps young people who can derive most benefit from cruises on "Asgard II" but are least able to afford the fees. This is something which Coiste An Asgard are most anxious to encourage.
I would now like to turn to the matter of civil defence. Deputies will be aware that the civil defence organisation in Ireland is a very important element in our defence against the threat of war, particularly the threat of nuclear war. Civil defence is based on a volunteer force organised under the local authorities in all parts of the country. Its elements consist of the warden, welfare, casualty, rescue and auxiliary fire services, and its purpose is to minimise the effects of war on the civilian population. It does, however, also provide considerable service to the population in peacetime, whether in the event of a nuclear accident abroad or a disaster at home.
The provision of £1.75 million for civil defence in 1987 will facilitate the continuing development and improvement of this vital part of national defence measures. The Minister of State will go into this matter in more detail.
Various other purchase programmes are being continued this year to cater for the needs of each civil defence service. An information package on civil defence will be made available to schools for the 1987-88 year.
It is only fitting that I should pay particular tribute to the many thousands of volunteers of the civil defence organisation throughout the country who give so generously of their time and effort in the service of the community. We are very much indebted to all our volunteers for this generosity. I would like also to extend this tribute to all members of the voluntary aid societies affiliated to civil defence.
I move now to the Army Pensions Estimate for the year ending 31 December 1987. The Estimate is for a net sum of £41,015,000 which represents an increase of £3,304,000 or 9 per cent on the 1986 outturn.
The Estimate provides for the balance of increases due in 1987 under the public service pay deal and a grade claim and for the second stage of a concession announced in the 1986 budget on ex gratia pensions payable to widows and children of former members of the Defence Forces. Under this concession the difference between the rates of these ex gratia pensions and the corresponding contributory pensions was eliminated as from 1 January 1987.
The main increase in 1987 as compared with the 1986 outturn is £3,250,000 under subhead E1. This subhead provides for retired pay, pensions and gratuities granted under Defence Forces pensions schemes. The increase is due mainly to the rise in the number of gratuities payable to officers and men on retirement and to increases in pensions payable to their dependants.
There are reductions in the provisions relating to pensions and allowances payable to veterans of the War of Independence due to a fall in their numbers. The number of military service pensioners on pay is 898. In addition, there are 2,025 in receipt of special allowances under the Army Pensions Acts. As well, there are 7,021 widows of former veterans on pay.
Before I conclude I want to comment on one or two matters which stem from the general recovery programme which is being pursued diligently by the Government. One is the question of decentralisation. The reduction of regional imbalances and the stimulation of further development of local centres outside the Dublin region are among the objectives of the Government. I am happy to say there will be a contribution from my Department in this regard through the decentralisation of a substantial proportion of the Department to new offices to be built in Galway. The number of staff to be transferred, approximately, 200, is equivalent to about one-third of the total staff.
A brief summary of the present position is that a site has already been selected on the Department's property at Renmore and the Office of Public Works have commenced the process of seeking tenders. Under that process, private concerns will be asked to provide the required accommodation, meet all building costs and lease the property to the State with an option to purchase. My Department have initiated the process of planning and preparing to decentralise as decided by the Government when the new offices are ready. The transfer will, as far as possible, be on a voluntary basis and I am sure the move will be equally welcomed by the people of Galway and the Civil Service staff who decide to relocate in that highly regarded area of the country.
Another matter is the question of a broad organisational review of defence. The role of our Defence Forces is well understood and widely accepted. The process of review at the various levels within the organisation is an ongoing feature. However, from time to time each large organisation needs a special, more intensive examination to ensure it is functioning as efficiently and as effectively as possible. It would be remiss of me, as a newly appointed Minister for Defence taking up office in a critical economic situation, if I did not ensure that the defence area was given due attention in the wide-ranging organisational and financial review which is being conducted by the Government. I have, therefore, directed the civil and military authorities of my Department to give special immediate attention to an organisational review to ensure, among other things, that the concentration of resources and effort is in the proper direction, that the best possible use is being made of the available pool of skilled personnel and that the maximum benefit will be obtained from the necessary commitment of funds for defence purposes.
In the current drive to reverse the economic graph, indeed to alter the mood of the nation, it is fitting that we should recall the old Gaelic proverb, "Ní neart go cur le chéile". What is divisive in society we must strive to eliminate and in every possible way we must nurture a spirit of teamwork. Daily, in my new appointment as Minister for Defence, I see teamwork in operation. I see it not alone within the Defence Forces but also in the Department whose unique legal structure of civil and military branches calls for excellent teamwork and co-operation if the Department is to function as it should. I am glad to say that it does and I should like to compliment and thank my officials, with and without insignia of office, for combining as they do in the interests of society at large. Those who serve within the public sector may get more than their fair share of blame and some of their good deeds may go unrecognised. The Government intend to do what they can to redress the balance because we know that only a motivated public sector and a motivated people can move to the better state of affairs to which we aspire.
I commend both Estimates to the favourable consideration of the House.
