Skip to main content
Normal View

Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 29 Apr 1997

Vol. 478 No. 4

Priority Questions. - Air Corps and Naval Service Review.

Michael Smith

Question:

3 Mr. M. Smith asked the Minister for Defence the reason for the delay in finalising the Price Waterhouse report on the Naval Service; and when he expects to publish this report. [11483/97]

The Defence Forces review implementation plan recommended that a more detailed examination of the Air Corps and Naval Service be undertaken.As Minister for Defence, I requested the Efficiency Audit Group to commission a special study of the Air Corps and Naval Service. A preliminary draft of this report has been presented to the steering group.

I am advised by the civil and military representatives of the Department of Defence on the steering group that there are a number of aspects of this draft which require further work to ensure the terms of reference are fully addressed. Far from shelving the review of both services, as has been suggested in some quarters, this is a genuine attempt by the steering group to ensure the final report covers all aspects of the operations of the Air Corps and Naval Service and will serve as a workable blueprint for their future development.

It was expected that the report would have been published about six months ago based on earlier commitments. Everybody has been patient but we are now hearing for the first time that there will be a further delay. In view of the fact that morale is at an historically low level in the Air Corps and Naval Service and bearing in mind the tough operations they are required to carry out, including fisheries, drug trafficking and dumping at sea surveillance as well as search and rescue operations, will the Minister publish the interim report, although I accept it will not be possible to cover all the angles? As he is aware, a more detailed examination is being undertaken as the preliminary examination was not considered to be comprehensive enough. Because of the long delay and the fact that this is the second bite at the cherry, will the Minister publish the interim report and move on from there?

I do not accept that morale is at a low level in the Air Corps and Naval Service. The flag officer commanding the Naval Service and the general officer commanding the Air Corps are members of the Efficiency Audit Group steering group and have participated fully in all the decisions made. The draft report is not in my possession and it is not open to me to publish it. Although I requested that a further examination be carried out, it is being undertaken under the auspices of the EAG which is under the control of the Department of the Taoiseach with its own chairperson. It will be up to the EAG to satisfy itself that the report is satisfactory and in accordance with the terms of reference laid down. When that is done I presume it will present it to me. I, in turn, will present it to Government with various recommendations.

I am as disappointed as the Deputy that it is taking so long to complete the report. I wish to ensure the Naval Service and the Air Corps have clear directions for the future and that we move away from the questions of lack of personnel and proper structures. Unfortunately, I have no control over the consultants or the draft report presented so far but I share the Deputy's concern at the long delay. I would have preferred to have had the full report in my possession some months ago. When it is presented to me I will not delay in presenting it to Government or publishing it so that we can have the debate the Deputy is seeking.

In view of the fact that the number of personnel who left the Naval Service in the past 12 months is the highest on record, which shows there is a problem in the service, bearing in mind that it takes some considerable time to develop expertise and that rumours are rife that it confirms much of what the Naval Service has been telling the Department of the Marine — people in some Departments do not like what is contained within it — will the Minister find a way to publish the interim report? I accept that he will not be able to solve all the problems but at least if the analysis of the Naval Service was made available we could begin the process of solving some of them.

With respect, I am surprised by the Deputy's comments. As a former Cabinet Minister, he knows full well that I am not in a position to publish the draft report as it has not been presented to me. He is also aware that the Efficiency Audit Group was established in 1988 during the period he was a member of the Government. He was a member of the Cabinet which asked the EAG to carry out an examination of the Defence Forces. He is further aware of the procedural arrangements. The report will be presented to the EAG by the consultants. It will have to satisfy itself that it is in accordance with the terms of reference laid down. The only difficulty is that the steering group is not satisfied the draft report complies with the terms of reference set out for the consultants. It is a matter, therefore, for the Efficiency Audit Group, the Naval Service and the Air Corps to ensure that a proper and comprehensive study is carried out and the full report is presented to Government as quickly as possible. With respect, the Deputy does not need me to tell him the procedures involved: he is asking me to do something which is not within my control.

Will the Minister confirm that the terms of reference will not be changed and the terms of reference which must be adhered to are those set out in the original document? Will he also confirm that this matter will be left to the next Government?

The terms of reference are satisfactory and I have not been informed of any proposal to change them so that another report can be requested. I am satisfied the terms of reference agreed in the first instance ensured the best possible prospects for the Naval Service and the Air Corps. This is the only matter in which I am interested; I am not interested in playing politics with either the Naval Service or the Air Corps. We all appreciate the extraordinary commitment, dedication and work of these arms of the Defence Forces. I assure the Deputy there has been no mass exodus from the Naval Service. As my reply to a later question indicates, 20 recruits were taken on at the end of 1996 and 35 recruits have been taken on to date this year.

Top
Share