In view of the absence of up to date information regarding relationships between the Defence Forces and the Government and the determined refusal this morning to provide such information, I can only view the eleventh hour attempt at consultation with suspicion. I question the relevance of this legislation though at this moment I have no option but to address the Bill as it stands.
As a representative of the South Tipperary constituency living adjacent to Clonmel where there is a substantial presence of the Defence Forces, in Kickham Barracks, I am deeply interested in this Bill.
I take this opportunity to congratulate the 12th Infantry Batallion on their commitment and loyal service not just in their local area but internationally in peace-keeping duties over the years. Theirs is an honourable and admirable contribution. By their service they have earned for us as a nation much international praise and acclaim. I must therefore remind the Tánaiste that this Bill is addressed to a most reliable, dedicated and responsible section of our society who cannot either by their record or by the very nature of their occupation be ever regarded as selfish, irresponsible or untrustworthy citizens. The extent of our dependence on their work surely warrants a far more reasonable response from the Minister.
The Bill before us is to provide for the establishment of associations for the purpose of representing members of the Defence Forces on remuneration and such matters as may be prescribed by the Minister. We must remember that so great has been the dissatisfaction of the Defence Forces in the past couple of years on pay and conditions that in sheer desperation they have decided to snub the authorities and set up their own association, PDFORRA. One would have hoped that this Bill would have eased the unrest, the total dissatisfaction and the soured relationship between the Defence Forces and the Government. Unfortunately the Bill has done nothing in this regard; it has exacerbated the situation, leading to the present impasse and provides no hope at all of the future satisfactory and acceptable relationship.
The PDFORRA who were forced to publicly clamour for, beg for, and demand proper conditions and acceptable pay rates are now trodden on yet again by the total lack of recognition of their wishes, their opinions and their views on the establishment of their representative association. PDFORRA now have the support of more than 8,000 of the 11,000 NCOs and private soldiers and are preparing to hold their own democratic elections while the Minister for Defence claims his proposals for the representative structure in the Defence Forces meets all the demands of PDFORRA. Nevertheless there is a fundamental difference over consultation. A meagre attempt, apart from the 11th hour effort last night, was made by the Minister to provide consultations by the provision of a 50-page booklet to all the ranks of the Defence Forces. This is not consultation, merely information. The Minister should realise that consultation is necessary and desirable if a major rift is to be avoided. Unless some move is made soon to break the impasse there could be two sets of elections in the Defence Forces in the coming months with the distinct possibility of the whole affair deteriorating into an irredeemable state.
For these reasons I claim that this Bill is a lost opportunity to tackle and resolve a long-standing and bitter division which will have to be confronted ultimately. This Bill is an insult not only to the Defence Forces but to the Members of this House who are being asked to vote through a Bill without any knowledge of its scope or impact, and the Defence Forces are called upon to elect representatives to work in a totally unknown framework. Furthermore, if the recently circulated booklet is the basis of this framework, then ones fears and doubts are vindicated. It is unacceptable that a member cannot be deemed eligible for election unless his conduct rating is not less than good. Surely this leaves room for abuse and could be used to disqualify a potential candidate. It is potentially dangerous and should not in any circumstances be accepted. Further unacceptable sections include one that provides that a civilian who endeavours to persuade a member of the Defence Forces to join a trade union would be found guilty of an offence. This is a total infringement of the right to freedom of speech and is so extreme that this section can only be considered a nonsense.
Other areas of concern include the question of access to the media whereby all statements made by the representative body of the Defence Forces must be made at Army headquarter level. I would also worry about the provision that all meetings must be held within the military installations.
The Bill is far too restrictive and undemocratic. It gives the Minister total and absolute control over the Defence Forces and eliminates the right of members to be represented in an independent way. It is merely an attempt to railroad the constitutional rights of the members of the Defence Forces. I find it unusual that, though prepared to allow our soldiers to go out with guns and risk their lives, the Government do not trust them to form their own representative association without imposing ridiculous restrictions. Surely this is paternalism gone mad.
The success or failure of the proposed representative association depends on whether it is fair. Any structure which is not seen by the majority to be fair will not work. The structure being imposed without sufficient consultation or communication will not be fair and ultimately will not work. I am not satisfied that this Bill can provide the framework for an independent representative structure. Therefore, it is bitterly disappointing.
