Vol. 416 No. 1
4 Mrs. Taylor-Quinn asked the Minister for Defence if he intends to implement in full the recommendations of the Efficiency Audit Group; if he has set a timescale for such implementation; and the type of support scheme that will be operated for affected personnel.
9 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Defence whether, in view of the transfer of functions from the civilian side to the military authorities, he intends to introduce legislation to amend the Ministers and Secretaries Act, 1924, and the Defence Act, 1954; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
25 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Defence whether, he is prepared to make a copy of the Efficiency Audit Group report available to Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas; if, in view of that report, he intends to introduce legislation to amend the Ministers and Secretaries Act, 1924, and the Defence Act, 1954; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
53 Dr. G. FitzGerald asked the Minister for Defence when he envisages a transfer of the military budget from his Department to the military authorities.
91 Mr. Ryan asked the Minister for Defence if, in the context of the Efficiency Audit Group report into the running of his Department and the foreign military administrations studied in the preparation of the final report he will outline whether it included New Zealand and Switzerland; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 4, 9, 25, 53 and 91 together.
I refer the Deputies to replies to questions on 31 October and 4 December 1991. The advice of the Attorney General has been sought as to the legislative implications of the report on my Department which was submitted to the Taoiseach by the Efficiency Audit Group last year. As indicated to the House on 31 October 1991 a study is under way of the administrative systems and structures in the Defence Forces. Implementation of the report's recommendations will be pursued in the light of the outcome of that study as well as legislative amendments deemed necessary.
The Defence Forces have had substantial areas of financial management delegated to them, details of which were supplied to the House on 4 December last. These include: Defence Forces allowances of the order of £16 million per annum; local contracts for Engineer Services up to £4,000 per annum per officer; and local military commanders may draw down on running contracts for components and spare parts for vehicles, local repairs of vehicles, solid fuel, petrol, oils, food items, aircraft spares, charts, laundry and dry cleaning and disposal of unserviceable tyres, waste oil etc., placed by my Department.
In addition, proposals are at an advanced stage to increase delegation in relation to the placing of local contracts by military officers.
I am advised that the administration of the Defence Forces in New Zealand was examined by the Efficiency Audit Group in the context of the scrutiny of my Department; the administration of the Defence Forces in Switzerland was not.
Notwithstanding the reply of the former Minister, Deputy Daly, on 3 October last, would the Minister not accept that it is now opportune that Members be given sight of this report and an opportunity to discuss it? Would the Minister inform the House whether the necessary legislative amendment has been prepared in draft form. Finally, and most importantly, is the Minister aware of the considerable concern felt by the Defence Forces staff of his Department, particularly in view of the fact that his Department have a small input only in relation to the implementation of the various proposals? Is the Minister aware of the grave concern among Members of the Defence Forces at this major change?
As I indicated in my reply, I am studying the position and will update overall procedures as soon as possible. The Deputy will realise that I have been only a few days in the Department. With regard to the Deputy's question about amending legislation, that matter is with the Attorney General's Office for advice as to what must be done on foot of the relevant report.
Is the Minister in a position to outline to the House the number of posts nationwide which will be closed under this rationalisation programme; in particular, is he aware of the grave concern among Army personnel, particularly on the part of their families, nationwide who are fearful of being transferred from their present bases to others well removed from areas in which they have lived for quite a number of years? Is the Minister in a position to outline in detail to the House whether there is any truth to the many rumours prevailing with regard to the closure of posts and, if so, what posts it is proposed to close?
As will be inferred from my reply, I am not in a position to state what the consideration of legislation by the Attorney General will involve. But I can assure the Deputy that my Department will not take any action without full consultation with the new representative bodies or without taking cognisances of the humanitarian aspects of any given decision.
In the context of the full consultation with the representative associations, of which the Minister speaks, can he say whether a copy of the Efficiency Audit Group's report has been made available to those associations for their consideration. Specifically, within the context of Question No. 25, can he say whether the Members of this House will be given sight of that report in the near future with a view to informing ourselves of the full implications of what is being proposed and undertaken?
I can assure the House that, as I study this report and familiarise myself with it, I will take all steps to ensure that the maximum amount of information is made available to Members.
On the basis of the Efficiency Audit Group's report recommendations, would the Minister give the House an assurance that they will not be implemented in any shape or form in advance of the necessary legislation being introduced in this House and being discussed here?
That is the logical position: one refers to the Attorney General and asks him, in the context of the Ministers and Secretaries Act 1984 and the Defence Act, 1954 — what is necessary by way of legislation. No action will be taken without the necessary legislation.
Would the Minister ensure that his views are allowed percolate the system at all levels nationwide?
I will so ensure.
I join with other speakers in requesting, for the third time, a copy of the Efficiency Audit Group's report which we have not had an opportunity of reading. Is the Minister suggesting that Army barracks cannot be closed without legislation first being brought to this House?
No, I am not suggesting that.
That was the inference I got.
That is a separate matter.
It is vitally important that serious discussions take place between all the personnel in the barracks throughout the country because closing barracks and transferring people is not a simple matter. It is not good enough just to discuss it with the representative bodies. I suggest direct consultation take place between the personnel in the variousu barracks.
I agree totally with the Deputy on that.
