Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 8 Mar 1990

Vol. 396 No. 8

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Air Corps Personnel.

Pat Rabbitte

Question:

9 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Defence if his attention has been drawn to the comments made by the retiring general officer commanding the Air Corps (details supplied) that deregulation of civil aviation had been a disaster for the Air Corps and responsible for a haemorrhage of personnel from the Force; if he agrees with the comments made by the person concerned; the steps which are being taken to ensure that the Air Corps have adequate trained personnel; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Mr. Lenihan

It would not be appropriate for me to make a statement on the reported comments made by the former general officer commanding the Air Corps some time ago. I would point out, however, that in 1989 my Department made arrangements for the recruitment of 20 cadets and 48 apprentices for the Air Corps. Arrangements were also made for the detachment of a substantial number of general service personnel to Casement Aerodrome in order to relieve technicians of security duties and allow them to devote their time to maintenance of aircraft.

Mr. McCartan

I acknowledge that efforts have been made to recruit personnel into the Air Corps, but would the Minister agree that over the past five years there has been a loss of 220 personnel, the majority of whom were technicians and pilots, from the Air Corps? Would the Minister agree that there is a major problem in regard to the loss of skilled, qualified and trained members of the Air Corps to the civil aviation companies operating in this country?

Mr. Lenihan

I seem to be agreeing a lot with the Deputy this afternoon. I agree that the figures available give rise to serious concern and we are actively following up this matter. In fact, I had a conference with the Air Corps people the day before yesterday and they will put proposals to me which may help to redress this problem. This problem is not as bad as it was, it is improving at present but, it is a problem which has to be addressed.

Mr. McCartan

The only effective way in which we can hope to stop this drift of people out of the Air Corps is to bring their conditions and pay up to the level comparable to those in the civil aviation companies. Would the Minister agree with that proposition?

An Ceann Comhairle

We are going back to a previous question.

Mr. Lenihan

That point of view was put very forcibly by the Air Corps representatives to the Gleeson Commission and it is part of their consideration of the problems in regard to military pay.

Mr. McCartan

Is the Minister prepared to acknowledge this point and take it on board?

Mr. Lenihan

I am not going to pre-empt what the commission may recommend. I have acknowledged in this House that I have confidence in the commission. I know they are doing excellent work and I am confident that their recommendations will be adopted. I cannot at this stage pre-empt what they may recommend. The points made by the Deputy were very important in the submission by the Air Corps representatives to the commission and were duly taken on board by them.