John Gormley
Question:17 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Defence his views on whether it is in order for serving members of the Defence Forces to comment publicly on political matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13161/99]
Other Questions. - Political Comments.
The following arrangements apply in the Defence Forces regarding comments on political matters. Defence Force Regulation A.7 provides that: "Comment, if any, in publications, lectures, broadcasts or talks, touching on questions of a political nature – whether national or international – shall avoid strictly any reference which might be construed as being of a controversial nature." Where the Defence Forces representative associations are concerned, Defence Forces regulations provide that no public statement or comment concerning a political matter shall be made by an association and that an association shall not sponsor or resort to any form of public agitation as a means of furthering claims or for any other purpose whatsoever.
The established procedures for elements of the media seeking contact with members of the PDF is that they do so through the Defence Forces press office. Defence Forces personnel who are speaking to the media do so on the understanding that they do not comment on political matters.
Does the Minister accept that when the chief of staff, Major General Stapleton, comments on an issue such as Partnership for Peace, he is commenting on a political matter? Will the Minister intervene and request members of the Defence Forces to cease commenting on sensitive issues of foreign policy? Members of PDFORRA such as Mr. Lucey have been given free rein on the radio. Does the Minister think this is appropriate?
The statement made by the chief of staff, Major General David Stapleton, was to the effect that there would be significant benefits to the Defence Forces if it was allowed participate in Partnership for Peace but that the decision to do this was a matter for the Government.
Does the Minister agree it is worrying to hear a member of a party in this democratically elected assembly attempting to censor citizens in the expression of their views on important public issues, particularly when those citizens make it clear they are not making a political comment and that a decision on the substance of the matter must be made by politicians? Does the Minister agree it would be deplorable if anyone in this House tried to prevent people with particular expertise from giving the benefit of their knowledge to political debate?
I subscribe to that view. However, if one was interested in having the support of the broad spectrum of Irish opinion for one's view, one would not do that.
Written Answers follow Adjournment Debate.