Tom Enright
Question:23 Mr. Enright asked the Minister for Defence the action being taken to reach the target date of 1995 for obviating the policy of compulsory retention of Air Corps personnel.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Compulsory Retention of Air Corps Personnel.
Madeleine Taylor-Quinn
Question:27 Mrs. Taylor-Quinn asked the Minister for Defence the action being taken to reach the target date of 1995 for obviating the policy of compulsory retention of Air Corps personnel.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 23 and 27 together.
Since 1990 it has been the policy to allow a limited number of Air Corps officers to retire each year. The number granted permission to retire in 1990 and 1991 was four and two respectively. It is proposed to allow a further two officers to retire this year.
Since 1989 a total of 17 officers have qualified as pilots and a further seven officers are due to complete their flying training in May 1992. Twelve Air Corps cadets are due to be commissioned in 1992, after which they will commence flying training. A competition for the award of eight Air Corps cadetships is being held at present. I might mention in that regard that a new selection system has been introduced which it is expected will lead to a substantial reduction in the failure rate during flying training.
During the past three years two additional officers have been transferred from the Army for training as air traffic controllers.
In 1990 two aeronautical engineer officers were recruited as a result of a public competition. It is hoped to recruit a further aeronautical engineer this year.
In accordance with the recommendation of the Gleeson Commission, pilot officers, air traffic control officers and aeronautical engineer officers who have completed 12 years' service are paid an ex-gratia sum of £3,000 in respect of each year for which they are retained in service.
When is it the Minister's intention to comply with the recommendation in the Gleeson report that there should be a terminal date for compulsory retention? When will the Minister make a decision on the terminal date?
I have made some inquiries about this very delicate subject. The Army authorities and my Department have a very soundly based philosophy on this matter, involved with the investment in the training of such an officer and the service to be rendered to the State as a result. It is a perfectly equitable view. My Department and the Army authorities are progressing along the lines which I outlined in my reply. Due consideration is being given to the careers of the people concerned.
Would the Minister not agree that the present policy is an intrusion on the freedom of the individual and could be considered to be unconstitutional? The military authorities are adopting a very dogmatic dictatorial attitude in relation to this matter. Will the Minister explore the possibilities of relieving these personnel on the basis of some kind of agreement between the individual and the military authorities in relation to compensation for the training provided?
I deny that there is any intrusion on the freedom of an individual who willingly and knowingly takes on a certain period of duty. Nevertheless there is a good deal of substance in the suggestion by the Deputy that this whole consideration should be very carefully monitored and examined with a view to seeing to it that equity prevails with regard to members of the Air Corps.