Michael Smith
Question:15 Mr. M. Smith asked the Minister for Defence the progress, if any, he has made in relation to the extension of the five year contract for members of the Defence Forces. [3849/97]
Priority Questions. - Defence Force Manpower Policy.
In the context of discussions on manpower policy in the Defence Forces, the term and conditions of the five year soldier have been raised with PDFORRA. I have recently met representatives of the association and I understand that considerable progress has been made on this issue. However, as these discussions have taken place under the auspices of the conciliation and arbitration scheme for the Permanent Defence Force, which provides that discussions shall remain confidential to the parties involved, it would not be appropriate for me to comment further.
In 1994, 500 personnel were enlisted into the Permanent Defence Force for a term of five years. A further 200 were enlisted in December 1996, also for a term of five years. Other than age and height requirements, there has been no change in the conditions of service between the 1994 and 1996 intakes.
The Minister will be aware that I have raised this matter on a number of occasions. I am raising it again because of the significant decrease in the numbers applying for recruitment in the Defence Forces and I am concerned about the return on investments, United Nations experience and so on. As the calibre of the person joining the Army would be enhanced by such a change, the sooner the better it is implemented. As there is no political disagreement in this regard, will the Minister expedite this change as soon as possible? I am sure most people would agree that experience at home and abroad would be put to better use if the contracts were extended.
The Deputy was a member of the Government that introduced the five year contract soldier and left many of them in limbo in regard to their future. I have had discussions with PDFORRA on this matter and it is also being discussed under the auspices of the conciliation and arbitration scheme. Ongoing positive discussions are taking place on this matter and it is my desire to have it resolved to everyone's satisfaction as soon as possible.
I will not get involved in a discussion about who was in Government when previous decisions were taken. The impact of those decisions is now obvious. If the Minister wishes to make a political issue of this, that is his prerogative, but I am concerned that mistakes, irrespective of who made them, should be rectified. I am making a genuine effort to do that and the matter should not be politicised.
The soldiers enlisted in the 1994 intake are performing their duties exceptionally well and, from that point of view, there was nothing wrong with the decision taken in 1994.
Does the Minister still regard them as the yellow pack brigade?
My scepticism about the morale effects turned out to be unjustified. I have endeavoured to put in place a scheme that will ensure those who wish to remain in the force or who reach certain standards can do so. I am using the process of the conciliation and arbitration scheme to advance this matter as far as possible.
Does the Minister envisage the intake from a further recruitment programme which he recently announced will involve a different regime from that intended for the earlier recruitment programme? Will it mean changes across the board?
The outcome of the discussions will apply to those enlisted in 1994 and 1996.
Will there be changes soon?
We are working on that.