Vol. 482 No. 4
4 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Defence whether he has satisfied himself that the Defence Forces are ready to initiate the reorganisation of the Defence Forces headquarters and the Army brigades; whether the enabling legislation and necessary amendments to Defence Forces regulations have been prepared; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18236/97]
I am very satisfied with the progress to date of the Defence Forces Review Implementation Plan. Significant developments are taking place in the main areas addressed by it. The key focus in the plan is on creating the right organisation to deliver value for money military services which meet the needs of the Government and the public.
Following acceptance by the Government of the Efficiency Audit Group's report in July 1995 an implementation group prepared a fully costed implementation plan for phase 1 of the proposals. The first phase covers a period of three years 1996-8. This plan is essentially strategic in nature and sets out the parameters and objectives within which the reform of the Defence Forces will take place. The initial phase concentrates particularly on the reform of the Permanent Defence Force's structure and organisation.
Reforms are being implemented in a planned and sensitive manner with the full backing of the military authorities and ongoing consultation with the representative associations in accordance with the agreed system of representation. Since assuming office I listened to a range of views within the Defence Forces and I will be anxious to ensure the process of consultation and communication is as developed and inclusive as possible. The reform programme tackles in a positive way the many problems confronting our Defence Forces, for example, the high age profile, inadequate collective training, the extensive numbers working in civilian type jobs and the imbalance between pay and non-pay spending.
Work is at present under way to amend the Defence Act, 1954, to reorganise Defence Forces headquarters. The amendment will involve the abolition of the positions of adjutant-general and quartermaster-general and their replacement by two new appointments of deputy chief of staff. I hope to be in a position to bring the draft heads of the Bill to Government shortly. Simultaneously, work is also under way to amend Defence Forces Regulations where necessary to give effect to the new organisation.
With regard to personnel issues, moves have been made to address the age profile problem. A voluntary early retirement scheme commenced in 1996 when a total of 500 personnel availed of it. A further 735 members were granted voluntary early retirement this year. In tandem with the voluntary early retirement scheme a recruiting drive has taken place. A total of 46 cadets and 600 recruits were enlisted in 1997 and the recruitment of 17 apprentices is taking place.
The question of equipment and infrastructure are important elements of the development of the Defence Forces. The Government's commitment to continue a programme of major investment in equipment and infrastructure for the Defence Forces has been proven. In the three years 1995-7 no less than £29 million was provided in infrastructural investment in military barracks generally. When the voluntary early retirement scheme is completed at the end of 1998 a substantial amount of savings from the reduced Defence payroll will be allocated for equipment and infrastructural purposes.
The reorganisation of the Defence Forces is developmental in nature. The Government is fully committed to ensuring the Defence Forces become a more effective and efficient organisation geared to deliver the required military and other Defence services in a value for money way. I am confident the Defence Forces Review Implementation Plan is the process to make this happen.
I take this opportunity to congratulate the Deputy on his appointment as Minister for Defence and wish him success. This is a time of great change for the Defence Forces and they will need a strong Minister to defend their case, with vigour, which I am sure the Minister will do at Cabinet. Does the Minister expect to introduce the legislation and the regulations during this session?
No, it is unlikely that amendments to the Defence Act and the regulations will be available for this session, but I hope they will be ready early in the New Year.
Does that mean the target dates set out in the implementation plan outlined by the chief of staff for a variety of changes necessary in the Army, for example, the establishment of new units, the disestablishment of others, dealing with surplus personnel in some areas and shortages elsewhere, will need to be put back? I assume those changes cannot go ahead if the necessary legislation and regulations are not in place.
A series of changes are taking place. There has been significant new recruitment, the establishment of a voluntary early retirement scheme and ongoing work in a consultative way on the establishment of the new units. It is in many ways a slow process. I expect that over the next 12 months further significant improvements will be made to speed up that process, but we must take account of the views of the representative bodies.
We must ensure that when we achieve the complete review and reform, the men and women in the forces own that process, believe in it and have been fully consulted in making it happen. I am not worried if we lose a month or two in waiting for legislation or regulations. I am more concerned that the end result gives us a fitter, leaner, better, younger, more developed and enterprising defence force.
Does the Minister accept that at the moment, from the ground up, there are concerns about some of the proposed changes? I pay tribute to the firm acceptance of the Government of the continuing recruitment process. It is extremely important for the Army that the Minister states what future recruitment will be. There is nothing like new recruits to improve morale in the Army, as there is a shortage of staff.
I wish to refer to the statement made by the president of PDFORRA when he said exhausted Army drivers were falling asleep at the wheel and soldiers were carrying arms having done long hours of duty. I also wish to draw the Minister's attention to the statement by the Chief of Staff when he said the current plan would need to be modified and that the same type of voluntary retirement scheme as in the past could not be used next year. He also said that personnel would have to move and it would be difficult to maintain the current barracks with the numbers envisaged in the plan. Will the Minister respond to these comments by different Army personnel, both expressing concerns about some aspects of the implementation plan and worries about the lack of personnel to carry out the tasks we demand of our armed forces?
The subject of fatigue is covered in another question. Some of the matters raised by the Deputy are probably more appropriate to a Second Stage debate but I will do my best to reply as fully as I can.
It was never envisaged that the changes proposed following the Price Waterhouse review, conducted under the aegis of the efficiency audit group, would happen without some strain on the resources of the Defence Forces. A reduction in manpower to 11,500 was agreed by the Government in 1995. The Deputy is right as regards the voluntary early retirement scheme - it is not possible to go ahead with a similar scheme in 1998. Whereas voluntary early retirement will still be the principal element, it is important we move forward to see where the gaps appear. To consolidate the important work done up to now, a new look should be given to how the voluntary early retirement scheme will evolve to take account of the pressures which I accept are there, but which are inevitable in change.
Notwithstanding whatever difficulties exist, there are few people I have met in the military establishment, from third star privates to the very top, who do not accept the necessity for change. However, as that change evolves, it presents problems which have to be addressed. One way to do this is to make sure there is continuous recruitment, to which we are committed. I will make an announcement, following the Estimates, of significant recruitment in 1998. I have already made a public commitment to ensure recruitment programmes are constantly in place to take account of retirements, so past problems due to the stop-go approach to recruitment will be resolved. These will also address the age profile, which there is no point in addressing now if we do not continue to do so, as it continues to increase.
I assure Deputy Fitzgerald that in reviewing the voluntary early retirement scheme for 1998, I will do everything I can, though of a voluntary nature, to take account of the pressures which have evolved so far. I am also committed to continuous recruitment and I will make a major announcement in the near future as regards recruitment programmes for 1998.
I welcome the Minister's announcement that he will substantially address the recruitment issue for next year. As regards the changes to legislation and regulations he will bring before the House, does he intend to devolve more power to the military authorities and lessen some of the regulations? There is an impression of overburdening by regulations and the decision making process the Defence Force is subjected to, in relation to even the smallest item.
It is interesting that the Deputy raises that question as one of the first functions I had to perform as Minister was to sign a particular document which perhaps would have been more appropriately signed by someone else closer to the resolution of the problem. We heard the Taoiseach speak to the Deputy's colleagues about problems in the management of taxi and hackney services in Dublin. One of the problems he addressed was that of the devolution of authority which worsened the situation considerably.
I am a great believer in empowering people to take decisions about their future and I agree with that philosophy across every Department. However, from personal experience, raw as it has been in past Administrations I have served, the ability to take tough decisions is scarce when authority is devolved. The ability to take popular decisions is in abundance. Sometimes, in all Departments, but particularly in the Department of Defence, because of its regimental nature, obligations and the system which exists there, it is necessary to have the right structures in place.
I am committed, to every possible extent, to ensuring the empowerment of the Defence Forces to take decisions on the changing procedures and changing times which require us not to concentrate decision-making in centres of power, but to devolve it as much as possible. It has to be consistent with the obligations and national policy strategies which have to be adopted from time to time.
