Vol. 438 No. 6
1 Mr. Barrett asked the Minister for Defence the terms and conditions attaching to the five year contracts being offered to the 500 recruits to the Defence Forces; if this new recruiting policy has been agreed with PDFORRA; the method of deciding on the number to be retained after the five year term; the assessment policy to be used by those who will decide on the individuals to be offered new contracts; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
16 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Defence the number of applications received for membership of the Defence Forces as a result of the recent recruitment campaign; when the applications will be processed; when the personnel will be recruited; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
21 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence his long term intentions regarding the strength of the Defence Forces in view of ongoing overseas requirements; the strength of the reserve; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
30 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Defence the number of persons he intends to recruit to each section of the Defence Forces; and when recruitment will commence.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1, 16, 21 and 30 together.
As already announced, it is proposed to enlist 500 recruits in the Permanent Defence Force in the current year. Eighty of the recruits will be for the Naval Service.
Recruits will be enlisted for a fixed period of five years in the Permanent Defence Force with a Reserve commitment of seven years. A limited number of personnel, selected before the end of the five year term, will be given the option of a further period of service in the permanent Defence Force. A decision regarding the number to be given this option of extending their service will be made nearer that time.
The new recruits will receive pay and allowances on exactly the same basis as existing personnel. They will also have the same opportunities to undergo training courses and to serve overseas.
The criteria for selecting personnel for retention in service is laid down in Defence Force Regulations and will be based on such matters as conduct rating, physcial fitness, medical category, and successful completion of appropriate military courses of instruction. Candidates will have to be recommended by their commanding officer for an extension of service and be specially selected by a selection board established for that purpose.
In accordance with the representative structures established for the Permanent Defence Force, PDFORRA was consulted in relation to the proposed recruitment. While it was not possible to concede all the changes sought, I extended the length of the term of engagement for the new recruits from three to five years on foot of the association's representations.
In excess of 9,900 applications have been received in response to the recent advertisements and all eligible candidates will be interviewed over the coming weeks. It is expected that the enlistment of successful applicants will commence in April.
The Defence Estimate for 1994 provides for an average strength of 11,300 non-commissioned personnel in the Permanent Defence Force. I am satisfied that that strength level is sufficient to enable the force to carry out all of its allotted tasks.
The strength of the Reserve Defence Force, FCA and First Line, was 16,682 on 31 December 1993.
Is the Minister aware that at Question Time on 22 December he gave a categoric assurance that the yellow pack recruitment campaign would not be advertised until prior agreement in that respect had been reached with PDFORRA? We know from the PDFORRA statement that such an agreement was not sought or obtained. Will the Minister not agree that it was unfair to advertise for recruits five days after assurance and include the provision that some personnel will be retained after five years while not stating on what basis they will be retained. The inclusion of that provision is not fair to existing personnel or to new recruits who will not know how they should perform in order to be retained. Will the Minister not also agree that this recruitment campaign represents a breach with representative bodies of members of the Defence Forces and will ultimately lead to unrest within the Defence Forces?
The Deputy's question should not be too long for obvious reasons.
I appreciate that. This is a serious matter.
All questions are of equal importance.
It is a departure from what has happened in the Defence Forces previously. The Government has acted irresponsibly by proceeding with the recruitment campaign without laying out clearly the numbers to be recruited, the basis on which they will be recruited and the procedures that will be put in place to ensure fair treatment of the 500 recruits to enable them become permanent.
That should be adequate.
Does the Minister believe relations between the Government and the representative association will continue on the basis necessary to ensure good industrial relations when this type of treatment is meted out without prior discussion?
The week before last I had a warm and lengthy meeting with PDFORRA, the Permanent Defence Forces Other Ranks Representative Association. I have said before that I do not like the designation "other ranks". During the course of that discussion Deputy Barrett's point emerged. However, the vehemence of Deputy Barrett's attack on the Government and me on this occasion was not matched by the courtesy and civility of the group of men I met, representing their trade union. While they were relatively happy with the so-called contract soldiers for the five year period — I increased the period from three to five years — they thought the matter had not been finalised, but I believe they are happy with the induction of 500 other ranks into the Army. With the Chair's permission, I will give a lengthy answer because the question was rather lengthy. Those 500 recruits will come within the remit of PDFORRA.
Under the five year contracts there is an inherent possibility of extending the period for 30 to 50 per cent of those recruits. Deputy Barrett's yellow pack jibe is not good for the Defence Forces. It is a demeaning and diminishing remark. There is nothing cheap about joining the Defence Forces. Those recruits will have the same entitlements and outlets available to them as existing recruits. They will be able to travel overseas, participate in courses and so on. I would have thought that five years training in the Army as a prelude to entering the outside world would be good preparation. It could be regarded as second or semi-third level education. It would benefit individuals to be a member of the Defence Forces for even five years and their time spent there would also benefit their future employers and the community.
Will the Minister not agree that the age profile of the Defence Forces has risen to an unacceptable level? At one time those serving in the Defence Forces could leave after a certain period of time and secure employment as a civilian, but that is not the case today. I welcome the recruitment of 500 personnel into the Defence Forces but not the basis on which they have been recruited. Will the Minister not agree that he has a responsibility to ensure that the morale of the Defence Forces remains high, that the good team spirit which is necessary because of the nature of their work continues? If he makes such a radical change it is my job as Opposition spokesperson to point out that it should be made on a well thought out basis so that those recruited will know what they must do to be retained.
I must interrupt proceedings.
The Minister can have 15 minutes and I am lucky if I get two minutes.
I insist on being heard in this House as Ceann Comhairle. I wish to advise the House that almost half the time permissible for dealing with priority questions has elapsed. Is this the way to proceed in dealing with priority questions?
I have not spoken for more than two minutes.
I would like to——
I am still on my feet, Minister. I am asking that we proceed to deal with another question. I have an obligation to complete the five questions, if possible. To devote almost ten minutes to one question is certainly disproportionate and is to the detriment of the other questions on the Order Paper.
The charges made in Deputy Barrett's supplementary questions are extremely serious. I am not in any way charging you, Sir, with unfairness, but it is unfortunate I do not have an opportunity to respond to these charges, some of which are unsustainable, unsubstantiated and wrong. However, I will naturally accept your guidance on the matter and proceed.
