Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 4 Nov 1997

Vol. 482 No. 3

Written Answers. - Defence Forces Review.

Frances Fitzgerald

Question:

108 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Defence whether Price Waterhouse management consultants have been requested to carry out further work on the reviews of the Air Corps and Naval Service; if so, the revised terms of reference given to the consultants; the expected date of completion of the work by the consultants; whether he will publish the completed reports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18232/97]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

The Defence Forces Review — Implementation Plan, 1996-98 provided for special studies to be carried out on the Air Corps and the Naval Service.

In July 1996, the efficiency audit group engaged Price Waterhouse Management Consultants to conduct the special studies into the Air Corps and the Naval Service. The consultants subsequently furnished a preliminary draft report to the EAG. Amongst other things the draft report highlighted those issues which required to be studied in greater detail and indentified a number of new issues which required examination.

As a consequence, and rather than publishing a report which identified problems requiring further attention it was decided that the consultants should be asked to address these problems in their report. In this way, the study will be as comprehensive and well grounded as possible, and the resulting report will produce a definitive blueprint for the development of these services in the years ahead.

The consultants are due to report to the efficiency audit group by mid-December 1997. It is my intention to publish this report at the earliest possible juncture.

Frances Fitzgerald

Question:

109 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Defence whether he has satisfied himself with the level of consultation on the Defence Forces review implementation plan which has taken place to date between officials of his Department and the representative associations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18233/97]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

RACO and PDFORRA have been assured that they will be consulted on the re-organisation process. To that end meetings are taking place with both associations on various aspects of the process. In a military organisation the legitimate rights of the representative associations must be balanced against the requirement for the Minister to implement necessary change based on Government decisions. RACO and PDFORRA accept this. The views of the associations will, however, be carefully considered and taken into account prior to any decisions being taken. I am, of course anxious to proceed by consensus in so far as this is possible.