Vol. 385 No. 3
asked the Minister for Defence if he is concerned at allegations that there has been intimidation of non-commissioned officers and privates in the Defence Forces whose wives are in the Association of Army Spouses; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
30.
asked the Minister for Defence if he will make a statement on recent reports that Army units have been asked to submit the names of non-commissioned officers whose wives are members of the Association of Army Spouses; and that the officers have been asked to persuade non-commissioned officers to get their wives out of the association.
(Limerick West): I propose to take Questions Nos. 16 and 30 together.
The allegations are without foundation.
Would the Minister be concerned if there was foundation for these allegations? Would he condemn any such intimidation? Is he aware that officers have approached members of the Defence Force and told them that the involvement of their wives in this organisation constitutes a security risk? Would he be concerned if evidence were produced that showed officers had approached members of the Defence Force and told them the involvement of their wives in this organisation would not help their promotion within the Defence Force? Is he aware that such instances have occurred in Cathal Brugha Barracks, St. Bricin's Hospital and Baldonnel Air Corps?
On a point of order, that was the subject matter of my Priority Question.
I intend giving the Deputy a lot of latitude.
(Limerick West): Of course I would be very concerned if those allegations were true, and I would ask the Deputy to let me have details and instances where this has occurred.
Subject to the Minister getting evidence to that effect, will he condemn such activities by officers and ensure there is no recurrence of any such intimidation of members of the Defence Force whose wives are involved in the Association of Army Spouses?
(Limerick West): Of course, Deputy. Further, members of the Defence Forces have not been instructed to advise their spouses to discontinue membership of the spouses association. Also, no direction has been given to unit commanders to submit the names of NCOs and privates whose wives are members of the National Army Spouses Association. There is no evidence available to me at present to suggest that any intimidation of NCOs or privates has taken place because of their spouses' involvement in the association. I would be very concerned if this were the situation, and if the Deputy has evidence of it, I would be glad to have it. I assure the Deputy that such evidence would be examined, and if found to be true, the necessary action would be taken.
Will the Minister have the matter pursued immediately?
(Limerick West): As I have already said to Deputy Gregory, if you, Deputy Clohessy, have examples and can give me the details of the allegations, I will have them examined. As of now, I do not have any examples, but if the Deputy has such evidence, will he please let me have the necessary information?
Give a salary increase to the Army and there will be no more talk about that.
I assure the Minister that I would welcome a meeting with him to give him such evidence. However, may I ask the Minister finally to make it clear on the record of the House that the involvement of the wives of members of the Defence Forces in the association of army spouses does not constitute a security risk, because many of them are concerned——
The Deputy has already made that point.
(Limerick West): I have already replied to that question.
Would the Minister agree that the necessity for the spouses association to exist would not arise at all if pay and conditions in the Army were up to the standard that they should be?
I think we have dealt with that aspect of the matter adequately.
