asked the Minister for Defence the progress which has been made in implementing the commitment contained in the Fianna Fáil election programme to provide adequate resources for the Defence Forces to carry out their range of services, from fishery and environmental protection to naval and military duties and rescue missions; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Defence Forces Resources.
5.
(Limerick West): On the basis of the allocation of £253,009,000 for Defence in 1988, I am satisfied that adequate financial resources have been provided to enable the Defence Forces to meet their commitments. The allocation should be sufficient to maintain the Defence Forces strengths at the same level as in 1987.
I shall make a further statement in the matter when I present the Estimate for Defence for discussion and approval by the Dáil.
In relation to the Government manifesto — to which this relates — am I correct in saying that they understood the armed forces to be responsible, in addition to fisheries, for environmental protection? Could the Minister advise the House whether resources have been made available, under current expenditure, for our armed forces to undertake duties in the area of environmental protection and, if so, what are those duties?
(Limerick West): I do not see any reference to duties of any environmental nature. That is a matter for another Government Department.
It relates to the question. I understand it is not appropriate to quote from documents at Question Time but I am sure the Minister is well aware that in the Fianna Fáil February manifesto they stressed the importance Ireland and its armed forces play in providing services for the protection of fisheries and environment since our accession to the EC. My question seeks to elicit information on what provisions have been made available to our armed forces for the protection of our fisheries and environment? What services have been made available? How have they been funded and what resources have been directed to the armed forces for that purpose?
(Limerick West): I take it the Deputy has in mind naval and military duties and rescue missions?
Yes.
(Limerick West): I am satisfied that adequate provision was made in 1987 and that there is provision for adequate facilities incorporated in the 1988 Estimates to meet those commitments.
My question asked what are the environmental duties?
I have given the Deputy quite a lot of latitude. He has repeated his question three times over. It cannot go on interminably.
(Limerick West): If the Deputy will put down a separate question I will be glad to answer it. The Deputy asked whether the allocations were sufficient. I have answered that and I maintain they are sufficient.
Surely the Minister could not be happy with the naval services for 1988?
(Limerick West): I am happy.
Deputy McCartan is still in possession. Does he wish to conclude his supplementary?
Could the Minister advise the House how he considers adequate resources are being made available, for example, in the area of defence equipment when there has been a reduction of over 20 per cent in the current budget allocation in that area of responsibility alone? How can be justify that in view of his party's commitment cited in their February manifesto?
(Limerick West): That reduction arose out of prudent purchasing, using existing resources in the best possible manner.
Is the Minister concerned in any way about the low level of morale in the Defence Forces, among officers and men? Furthermore, is he aware that some members of the general staff are reported to have had advised middle ranking officers, in their own interest, to look to outside employment, that there are now no real career opportunities for them in the Army because of present Government policy?
The Deputy is widening the scope of his question out of all proportion.
It has to do with the resources the Government are committing to the Defence Forces.
Clearly it is a widening of the subject matter of this question.
(Limerick West): I strongly refute the allegations made by Deputy Molloy. There were no such recommendations on the part of general staff or anybody else by way of encouraging members of the permanent Defence Forces to seek employment outside the Army. I am surprised to hear that from a former office holder.
It is because I am a former office holder I am greatly concerned. Probably it is because I am a former office holder these reports have been brought to my notice. Surely the Minister is not accusing the officers who reported this to me of having told lies?
(Limerick West): If the Deputy is prepared to give me the relevant information and details, I will gladly have them examined.
Provided the Minister will give me an assurance that he will carry out the same examination in Moate.
(Limerick West): I have given that assurance already.
The Minister said that everybody who was called for interview had been interviewed.
Deputy Molloy is persistently addressing questions from a sitting position and is completely out of order.