Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 19 Oct 1999

Vol. 509 No. 4

Written Answers. - Defence Forces Review.

Andrew Boylan

Question:

43 Mr. Boylan asked the Minister for Defence if he has received the implementation reports from the commanding officers of the Air Corps and the Naval Service following the Pricewaterhouse report; if so, his response to those reports; the action, if any, he intends to take; the timetable envisaged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20537/99]

Monica Barnes

Question:

66 Mrs. Barnes asked the Minister for Defence the plans, if any, he has for the future development of the Naval Service. [20564/99]

Derek McDowell

Question:

86 Mr. McDowell asked the Minister for Defence his views on the suggestion that the US Coast guard should be used as a model for the further development of the Naval Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20451/99]

Richard Bruton

Question:

97 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Defence his views on whether morale is at an all time low in the Air Corps; if so, whether this is as a result of the non-implementation to date of the recommendations of the review of the Air Corps and Naval Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20492/99]

Frances Fitzgerald

Question:

134 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Defence if he has received the implementation reports from the commanding officers of the Air Corps and the Naval Service following the Pricewaterhouse report; if so, his response to those reports; the action, if any, he intends to take; the timetable envisaged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20519/99]

Frances Fitzgerald

Question:

145 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Defence the plans, if any, he has for the future development of the Naval Service. [20535/99]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 43, 66, 86, 97, 134 and 145 together.

In October 1998, I directed the Chief of Staff to arrange for the General Officer Commanding the Air Corps and the Flag Officer Commanding the Naval Service to submit implementation plans that would give effect to the effectiveness and efficiency recommendations in the Pricewaterhouse report.

I received the draft implementation plan for the Naval Service on 30 September 1999, and it is currently being examined in my Department. I understand that the draft Air Corps implementation plan was delivered to my private office at the end of last week, but I have not yet had an opportunity to study it.

Pricewaterhouse's 1998 report on the Air Corps and the Naval Service set out a range of recommendations for more effective and efficient air and sea services. Some of these recommendations can be proceeded with fairly quickly while others will take longer. As with the reorganisation of the Defence Forces, the changes in the Air Corps and the Naval Service will be of a positive nature aimed at ensuring the ongoing development of these services consistent with the needs of the State and those of the taxpayer. It is important that the recommendations be implemented in a structured and coherent way that will contribute to the overall development of the Defence Forces as a whole.

With regard to the broader development of both services, this will be dealt with in the context of the forthcoming White Paper on Defence which I plan to bring forward by the end of this year. The White Paper presents a positive opportunity to develop the Defence Forces for the long-term.

In reviewing the Air Corps and Naval Service, Pricewaterhouse examined a range of comparative models, including both the United States coast-guard service and the Scottish Fishery Protection Agency. Furthermore, the Pricewaterhouse project team included personnel who were familiar with other countries fishery protection and coastguard services. The report that they produced was based on the consultants' experience and familiarity of a wide range of coast guard models, but which was tailored specially for the Irish context.