Peadar Clohessy
Question:6 Mr. Clohessy asked the Minister for Defence if he has satisfied himself that the new promotion system for officers in the Defence Forces is facilitating the elevation of the most meritorious officers to the highest ranks.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Defence Forces Promotion.
The Gleeson Commission, which examined the remuneration and conditions of service of the Permanent Defence Force, recommended that the selection of officers for promotion should change from a system based almost exclusively on seniority to a system based on merit. That recommendation is being implemented on a phased basis in consultation with the relevant representative association. I am satisfied it will facilitate the promotion of the most meritorious officers to the highest ranks.
Phil Hogan
Question:7 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Defence the action, if any, that he has taken to implement the recommendation of the Commission on Remuneration and Conditions of Service in the Defence Forces 1990, which states that officers who are not suitable for promotion to the higher ranks should have this made known to them before the age of 40 years when they are in a position to decide whether they wish to remain in the Defence Forces or take up an alternative career.
Mary Flaherty
Question:10 Miss Flaherty asked the Minister for Defence the action, if any, that he has taken to implement the recommendation of the Commission on Remuneration and Conditions of Service in the Defence Forces 1990, which states that officers who are not suitable for promotion to the higher ranks should have this made known to them before the age of 40 years when they are in a position to decide whether they wish to remain in the Defence Forces or take up an alternative career.
Alan Shatter
Question:21 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Defence the action, if any, that he has taken to implement the recommendation of the Commission on Remuneration and Conditions of Service in the Defence Forces 1990, which states that officers who are not suitable for promotion to the higher ranks should have this made known to them before the age of 40 years when they are in a position to decide whether they wish to remain in the Defence Forces or take up an alternative career.
Nora Owen
Question:24 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Defence the action, if any, that he has taken to implement the recommendation of the Commission on Remuneration and Conditions of Service in the Defence Forces 1990, which states that officers who are not suitable for promotion to the higher ranks should have this made known to them before the age of 40 years when they are in a position to decide whether they wish to remain in the Defence Forces or take up an alternative career.
I propose to answer Questions Nos. 7, 10, 21 and 24 together.
The promotion procedures for officers of the Permanent Defence Force, which were agreed with the Representative Association of Commissioned Officers, provide for the introduction of appropriate career development and counselling systems. A pilot counselling project will be initiated in 1994 and it is hoped that a comprehensive system will be in place by 1995. The counselling scheme will concentrate on the critical counselling of groups of officers faced with key career decisions of the type referred to by the Deputies.
I would emphasise that this integrated promotion system has been the subject of extensive consultation with RACO and has been agreed with that association.
The question tabled to the Minister was very specific in so far as it asked whether one particular recommendation would be implemented, one which, I would suggest, is very worthwhile. It is that those officers who are judged not suitable for further promotion would be so informed before reaching the age of 40. That would be important to those officers serving in the Defence Forces in that they would then know they had reached their peak and depending on the nature of their work, could make alternative arrangements or perhaps seek alternative employment. Would the Minister agree that if such were the case we would have a much happier force in that those officers who knew they had reached the peak of their careers could prepare themselves for a change of career before such became too late? Will the Minister say whether he will be introducing this recommendation in 1993?
The Deputy has a point in that so far as possible people are entitled to a degree of certainty. That is why this pilot counselling project will be initiated in 1994. The project will take into account the Deputy's properly expressed fears. I might add that that pilot project was proposed and agreed with the Representative Association of Commissioned Officers.
In view of the continuous failure of the Government since 1990 to have additional general recruitment for the Permanent Defence Force, which is an absolute disgrace, would the Minister not agree that having officers who felt they could go no further in their careers leave before age 40 would provide an opportunity for their replacement, thus leading to greater movement within the Permanent Defence Force, something obviously lacking at present? The Minister may correct me if I am wrong when I say that the average age of a sergeant is now in excess of 40 and the average age of a private 31 or 32, which is quite frightening.
The Deputy has a point. Like him I am very anxious to have a recruitment drive for the Defence Forces to take account of our obligations on the Border and, specifically, in relation to Naval Service personnel. As the Deputy is aware 1,008 members of the Naval Service are officers and men where there is a high turnover. I would be anxious that in both areas the issue of recruitment be addressed. Also, the Army has a very important role to play in regard to internal security and there is a need to address its role in the context of its position in aid of the civil power. In that sense the Deputy is right. I am very anxious to have a recruitment drive as a matter of urgency. The age profile of the Army is unacceptable. The age profile of sergeants and non-commissioned officers is in the region of 40 and for privates it is between 27 and 30 years. The foot soldiers, those at the lower end of the ranking, should be young people and, unfortunately, that is not the position.
Is the Minister telling the House he did not have the support of his colleagues in Government, following his announcement in September that he was seeking Government approval to recruit 500 extra personnel into the Defence Forces? In light of the miserable allocation for the Marine — which amounted to 1.5 per cent of the total fund for the National Plan — I am beginning to realise that newspaper reports that the Minister is getting cheesed off are understandable.
The Deputy is raising extraneous matter.
I am a very happy person. I am absolutely exhilarated by the fact that I am Minister for the Marine and Minister for Defence. I have no problems about that. To serve in any portfolio in a Government of one's country is a great honour. I do not know where these stories emanated from. Whoever gave the story to the journalist concerned was not doing me any favour and it was not done on a friendly basis. There may be what is called a hidden agenda but sin ceist for another day. In regard to the question of recruitment and the support of the Government, I have expressed the view — and I continue to do so — that there is a serious need for recruitment. The only way I can embark on that is with the support of my Government colleagues. The Government has before it a plan proposed by me and I am hopeful a decision will emerge in the not too distant future.
I am sorry to interrupt the Minister, to call Deputy O'Keeffe.
I rise on this issue because I am horrified by the Minister's response to a very pertinent question from Deputy Barrett. Do I take it that the Minister's announcement in relation to the 500 recruits is not being followed through? His announcement in September has about as much substance as the £600 million we seem to have lost in Brussels yesterday. Is the Minister now confirming that this recruitment drive is not going ahead? I am aware of the Minister's desire for recruits but is the Government not supporting his request for such recruits?
The question before me deals with remuneration, conditions and promotion. The question raised by the Deputy is not before us now.
With the permission of the Chair I will respond to the Deputy. If the Deputy reads my statement he will see that its views are expressed in terms of hope.
The Minister did not get 100 per cent support.
I did not make any announcement about 500 recruits. I do not know where the Deputy got it. That is not my style.
A Deputy
The public was misled.
The only way I will make an announcement about 500 troops is when I have them on the barrack square.
It was in a newspaper.