What is the purpose of the limitation in the brackets, to 1,500 ?
SECTION 88.
Question proposed : " That Section 88 stand part of the Bill."
That is merely the number that the military authorities would like to call out if the necessity should arise. It is a cadre.
It means that without a state of emergency he could call out 1,500 whenever he likes.
" Whenever operations are in preparation or in progress, the Government may authorise the Minister . . ." It would be better for the Minister not to have that limitation on numbers.
Give him power to call the Reserve ?
Mr. Collins
This is in conjunction with exercises ?
No, they are merely keymen whom it would be regarded as important to call up if necessary in preparation.
It gives the Minister power to call up that number of reservists at any time if he considers that he has to get ready in advance.
It would be a grave pity if in a situation he wanted 1,600 and could call only 1,500.
Mr. Collins
We could take out the numeral.
Apparently the military authorities are satisfied, and I am not going to dispute with them. They are acting here in a reasonable manner and so as not to add unnecessary expense.
Mr. Collins
If the number were taken out I do not think it would weaken the section.
We ought to leave it as it is.
Although the military advisers of the Minister naturally would advise him as to what they thought best, I think in circumstances such as this, when operations for the defence of the State are in preparation or progress, the Minister should not be limited to 1,500, out of a Reserve force of, say, 30,000 people. It seems a small cadre to call.
Are you opposing this section ?
No, I just wanted to draw attention to that.
Question put, and agreed to.