Vol. 418 No. 1
1 Mrs. Taylor-Quinn asked the Minister for Defence if he will locate the recently established personnel management section of the Defence Forces outside the Defence Forces headquarters: if he will outline the in-house or other training which the personnel staffing this section have received; and if he will clarify the role and function of the section.
The section referred to will be part of the Adjutant-General's branch of my Department and, therefore, the most appropriate location for it will be one to which the Adjutant-General can have ready access. Elements of the section, e.g., manpower, personnel support service, will, however be located in each command and with the Air Corps and Naval Service.
It is envisaged that this section will be responsible for advising the military authorities on all aspects of personnel management within the Defence Forces.
In-house training for the staff concerned is being provided by officers experienced in this area of work. Other training will be provided as necessary.
Would the Minister agree that the officers he seems to believe have the experience necessary to manage this work do not, in fact, have the necessary skill or training in personnel matters? Would he consider employing assistance from outside in such matters or sending some of these officers on personal management courses in order to educate them about management at that level. Does the Minister agree that a culture of command, order and obedience seems to be the order of the day in the Army rather than a concentration on details of personnel and that there is a real need for some type of formal training for the officers concerned?
I do not agree that there is any deficiency on the part of the officers. I said in my reply that other training would be provided as necessary. I want to remind the House that the Gleeson Commission recommended that a personnel management section should be established in the Adjutant-General's branch.
How can the Minister reconcile what he said in his reply with what is happening at present where personnel are being transferred, in some instances with less than 24 hours notice to another command on a permanent basis and not for operational reasons? Does the Minister think that this type of activity is in keeping with proper personnel management procedure?
I am not aware of any such incident but if the Deputy is aware of any I would be very pleased if she would let me know of them.
