Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 12 Apr 1989

Vol. 388 No. 5

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - RTE Programme.

19.

Mr. Bell

asked the Minister for Defence resulting from the disclosures of the RTE "Today Tonight" programme of 4 April 1989, whether an urgent review of the overall situation in the Defence Force is required; whether any such review should include (a) the low level of morale, (b) pay and allowances, (c) conditions of service and hours of work, (d) equipment and transport, (e) Air Corps, service, equipment, recruitment and training and (f) a representative body; and if he has satisfied himself that pay, allowances and equipment are adequate; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

26.

Mr. Bell

asked the Minister for Defence if he will make a statement on the content of the "Today Tonight" programme on RTE of 4 April 1989 regarding the Defence Force.

Mr. Noonan

(Limerick West): I propose to take Questions Nos. 19 and 26 together.

The particular television programme to which the Deputy refers failed completely to present a balanced or accurate picture of the Defence Force. As the Deputy is already aware, the Government established a committee to review the pay, allowances and conditions of the Defence Force in June of last year. I would point out that this was the first such review for ten years. I am satisfied that the committee's recommendations represented a reasonable response to the case for improved pay and conditions in the Defence Force.

Mr. Bell:

I respectfully suggest that the impression given to the serving members of the Defence Force and the general public as a result of the RTE programme was that the Minister was not properly briefed about Army affairs and was not au fait with what was happening in the Defence Force. He completely failed to reply to some very important questions raised in the programme. In view of the facts that emerged from the programme, will the Minister consider employing an arbiter to examine the matter — this applies in the public service when there is a dispute regarding wages and conditions of employment? Perhaps he will also consider allowing the EmployerLabour Conference to investigate the matter?

Mr. Noonan

(Limerick West): The committee appointed by the Government in June 1988 as a result of my recommendation — and not at the behest of any pressure group — looked at pay, conditions and allowances of the Defence Force. I am satisfied that the recommendations of the committee have been implemented in full by the Government and that the problem has been satisfactorily sorted out.

(Interruptions.)

Mr. Howlin:

How could the position be regarded as satisfactory?

Deputy Bell rose.

An Ceann Comhairle:

Deputy Bell should appreciate that the Chair has an obligation to dispose of all the Priority Questions within the prescribed time of a quarter of an hour and I am appealing for brevity and co-operation from the Deputies who tabled questions. I am sure Deputies will co-operate.

Mr. Bell:

I will try to be brief. The statement which the Minister has consistently made is effectively causing the problem within the Defence Force. There is no acceptance by him or the Government that there is a problem. Will he accept, on the basis of the evidence presented on "Today Tonight" that equipment and transport are obsolete in many areas? Will he also accept that pay is low and that members are not compensated for the hours they work? Will he accept that there is a very low level of morale within the Defence Force?

An Ceann Comhairle:

We cannot debate this matter today.

Mr. Noonan

(Limerick West): The problems within the Defence Force are caused by misinformation and mis-state-ments made by the Deputy and others who are not au fait with the facts. I do not accept any of the allegations outlined by Deputy Bell which are without foundation.I assure Deputy Bell that I am totally in touch with the situation and it is he and others making the allegations who are out of touch because they are using the Defence Force as a political football. It ill behoves them to do that.

An Ceann Comhairle:

I will allow Deputy Bell one brief supplementary question. This is in fairness to other Members who also have Priority Questions tabled to whom I have an obligation, as has Deputy Bell.

Mr. Bell:

I want to assure the Minister that I have forgotten more about the Defence Force than he will ever know. I object very strongly to the statement he has made. That is the problem.

An Ceann Comhairle:

This is Question Time. Question No. 20.