asked the Minister for Defence the way in which the allowance paid to soldiers as a result of the highly successful Operation Mallard was only £20 after tax, whereas gardaí are reported to have received bonuses of £500, in view of the fact that the soldiers worked longer hours, in some cases 48 hours.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Defence Forces Allowances.
10.
(Limerick West): A special allowance of £13.65 per day was paid in general to the Defence Force personnel involved in the operation. The rates of compensation payable to members of the Defence Forces in respect of security duties will be examined by the inter-departmental committee which has been appointed by the Government.
I welcome the decision of the Minister to have another look at the rate of compensation paid to those involved in this operation. I have no objection to the amounts paid to gardaí involved in that operation. In fact, I should like to compliment those involved in what turned out to be a highly successful operation.
I should like to remind the Deputy that at Question Time we must proceed by way of supplementary questions.
May I take it that reasonable amounts will be paid to the soldiers who were involved in that operation? Is the Minister aware that they were paid a miserly sum, £20 after tax, and that in some cases soldiers received as little as £11 for that tour of duty? That was an insult to them having regard to the risks they took.
The Deputy is reverting to statements.
Those soldiers suffered great hardships. Will the Minister review the amount of the compensation paid to personnel involved in that operation?
(Limerick West): I should like to tell the Deputy that such payments are kept under constant review. In fact, in January last the rates were increased by 4 per cent.
Is the Minister aware that in the Border area during that period men had to work more than 120 hours per week? Will the Minister accept that a miserable payment of £20 for those hours is not a sufficient award for such service?
(Limerick West): I must repeat that the question of pay and allowances is being reviewed by the inter-departmental committee.
Everything is under review.
I should like to ask the Minister if he has visited a Border area to observe a joint Garda/Army night patrol? Can the Minister give any rational reason for the wide disparity in the money paid to soldiers and gardaí involved in such duties?
Soldiers do not have an association to represent them and the Minister would not allow them to set up such an association.
(Limerick West): The answer to Deputy McGahon's first question is, yes, and the question of pay and allowances is being examined by the interdepartmental committee, as I have indicated.
I must move on to the next question.
What the Minister is saying is a formula for doing nothing.