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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 17 Feb 2000

Vol. 514 No. 5

Written Answers. - Meetings with Defence Forces Personnel.

Jimmy Deenihan

Question:

89 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Defence his arrangements for meetings with the Officers Commanding the Defence Forces; the number of times he has met them in 1999 on a formal basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4572/00]

By sealed order, dated 28 August 1946, the Minister for Defence is authorised by the Government, under the direction of the President acting on the advice of the Government, to exercise military command over the Defence Forces and all executive and administrative powers in relation to the said forces, including the power to delegate command and authority. This order is continued in force by section 299 of the Defence Act, 1954.

In order to provide a greater focus on military effectiveness and efficiency the Defence Forces review implementation plan, which was approved by Government in March 1996, proposed the reorganisation of the top level military structure. Legislative change was required to give effect to these proposals which had the full support of the military authorities.

Accordingly, the Defence (Amendment) Act, 1998, which came into effect on 1 October 1998, amended the Defence Act, 1954, to prescribe these changes. As a result a new Defence Forces headquarters has been put in place, the head of which is the chief of staff. Therefore, there is now only one military branch in the Department of Defence, instead of three military branches which had existed previously. The chief of staff now has responsibility for the performance of the full range of the military business of the Department and he is the sole military officer reporting directly to me on such business. The appointments of adjutant-general and quartermaster-general have been replaced by two new appointments of Deputy Chief of Staff – Operations – and Deputy Chief of Staff – Support. The chief of staff has, with the approval of the Minister delegated duties assigned to him to the Deputy Chiefs of Staff and they in turn are responsible for and report to the Chief of Staff on such duties as are assigned to them.

Bilateral meetings between myself, the Chief of Staff and other senior officers are a frequent and commonplace feature of the normal business of the Department of Defence. No particular for malities are associated with such meetings which take place as required on a regular basis.
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