I propose to take Questions Nos. 5, 9 and 41 together. The first election of representatives of personnel of the Permanent Defence Force is being conducted in accordance with rules laid down by the principal officer in charge of the franchise section of the Department of the Environment. The rules were drawn up following consideration of submissions from individuals and groups of individuals within the Permanent Defence Force and of the views expressed by representatives of the teams set up in connection with the Gleeson commission and by representatives of PDFORRA.
In the case of officers there are seven electoral divisions — four Commands, Air Corps, Naval Service and Army Headquarters — each of which will have five representatives except for the Curragh and Eastern Command which will have seven representatives each. The elected representatives for each electoral division will elect one of their number to a national committee.
In the case of NCOs and privates there are 48 electoral divisions in the various barracks throughout the country. The larger divisions will each have 12 representatives with five for each of the smaller divisions. The elected representatives from each electoral division will elect two of their members to a command committee. There will be six such committees — four Commands, Air Corps and Naval Service. Each of these committees will in turn elect two of their number to a national committee.
The systems of election to be used are the single transferable vote, in the case of officers, and the "at large" system in the case of NCOs and privates. In essence this latter system involves the placing of an `X' opposite each candidate of the voter's choice — the total number of `X's not to exceed the number of representatives to be elected in the particular division.
I understand that the level of representation and the arrangements for the conduct of the election generally reflect the wishes of representatives of the personnel as conveyed to the franchise officer.
Nominations closed on 7 June 1990. A total of 87 nominations were received for the 39 representatives of officers. In the case of NCOs and privates 591 nominations were received for 457 representatives. A ballot will be held in those electoral divisions where the number of candidates exceeds the number of representatives to be elected. Ballot papers are being issued by the returning officers, who are military personnel. Polling, which is in secret, will continue until noon on 26 June 1990.
The returning officers will be responsible for the counting of votes. Persons will be appointed by the franchise section of the Department of the Environment to observe the proceedings.
In view of the extensive consultations and preparations which have been carried out I have every confidence that the elections will proceed as planned.
When the representatives emerge at national level from the election I will meet them. The detailed further arrangements to be made at that stage will then be worked out in discussions between them and representatives of my Department.