asked the Minister for Defence if he will outline the Government's proposals for improving the pay and conditions of members of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
25.
Written Answers. - Pay and Conditions of Defence Forces.
22.
asked the Minister for Defence, in relation to the inter-departmental committee on Defence Forces' pay, the way in which two members nominated to represent the interests of the members of the Defence Forces have been selected; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
27.
asked the Minister for Defence if he has any proposals to improve Army pay and conditions having regard to the continued debate on these issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
29.
asked the Minister for Defence if his attention has been drawn to the grave unrest in the Defence Forces in relation to pay and conditions; and the action he will take to resolve these problems.
31.
asked the Minister for Defence whether the pay and conditions of the Defence Forces should be comparable to those available to members of the other security forces of the State; and if he will outline his proposals in this regard.
32.
asked the Minister for Defence the procedures for the nomination of two members by the Defence Forces to the interdepartmental committee chaired by the Minister of State at his Department.
33.
asked the Minister for Defence if the restructuring of Army pay, mentioned in the new Government's programme, will result in soldiers who carry out onerous and dangerous additional duties losing the allowances normally associated with such duties; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
34.
asked the Minister for Defence if the two members nominated by the Defence Forces to the Permanent Committee on Defence Forces Pay, as mentioned in the new Government's programme, will be elected by rank and file members of the forces.
35.
asked the Minister for Defence if it is his intention to recall the study group examining Army pay and conditions under the chairmanship of the Minister of State at his Department; if it is his intention to set any new guidelines in respect of Army pay; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
37.
asked the Minister for Defence, in view of the on-going dissatisfaction in the Defence Forces over Army pay, if he proposes making additional finances available for Army wages to allay such justified dissatisfaction.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 22,25, 27,29,31,32,33,34,35 and 37 together.
In December 1988, following the review of Defence Forces' remuneration by the interdepartmental committee set up in June 1988, the Government approved increases in pay and a wide range of allowances.
Payment of the increases in basic pay were phased in accordance with the provisions of the public service pay agreement and the Programme for National Recovery as follows: First Phase, 40% of increase has been paid from 1 July 1989; Second Phase, 30% from 1 April 1990; Third (and Final) Phase, 30% from 1 October 1990. The revised rates of allowances are being paid in full.
In accordance with the decision of the Government the committee which was set up in June 1988 has been retained and has been augmented by the addition of two former members of the Permanent Defence Force. The two members involved were nominated by the military authorities. I do not wish at this stage to try to anticipate future recommendations of the committee. Any necessary funding in that respect would, of course, be provided in the normal way. In their deliberations the committee will, no doubt, take full account of all relevant factors, including the rates payable to other public service groups. In the long term it is the objective that Army pay should be restructured with a greater emphasis on basic pay. It is not intended that such restructuring would result in any reduction in the rates of allowances payable.