Written Answers Nos. 26 - 35
26. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Defence the number of reviews of safety in the Air Corps that have taken place over the past six years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43292/14]
View answerA number of safety reviews and audits have been undertaken during the period in question. In August 2013, the Air Corps commissioned a review of its Safety Management System. A report entitled “Irish Air Corps Safety Management Review” was completed in November 2013 and is in the process of being implemented. This review arose from one of the recommendations made by the Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) of the Department of Transport following the fatal accident which occurred at Cornamona, Co. Galway on 12 October 2009 involving an Air Corps’ Pilatus PC-9 aircraft.
The AAIU also carried out an investigation into the heavy landing incident, involving an Air Corps EC 135 helicopter which occurred near Borrisoleigh, Co. Tipperary on 19 June 2012.
In addition, the Air Corps’ Flight Safety Section has carried out a number of internal reviews/audits and a list of these is included in the tabular statement.
|
Year |
Title |
|
2013- 2014 |
Irish Air Corps Pilots’ Fatigue Risk Management System Safety Review |
|
2012 |
Air Corps Crash Rescue Service Safety Audit |
|
Emergency Aeromedical Service Safety Audits x 3 |
|
|
505 Squadron Safety Audit |
|
|
106 Squadron Safety Audit |
|
|
102 Squadron Safety Audit |
|
|
2011 |
No 3 Operations Wing Safety Audit |
|
Flight Training School Safety Audit |
|
|
2009 |
No 1 Operations Wing Safety Audit |
|
No 3 Operations Wing Safety Audit |
|
|
Flight Training School Safety Audit |
27. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Defence when Defence Forces personnel currently participating in ISAF will be withdrawn from Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41252/14]
View answerIreland has participated in the NATO–led UN mandated International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan since 5 July 2002. The Government has reviewed and approved, on an annual basis, the continued participation of the Permanent Defence Force in ISAF. There are currently seven (7) personnel serving with the force and they are all located in ISAF HQ, Kabul and work in staff appointments in planning and administrative roles. The overall drawdown of ISAF personnel is currently underway and the withdrawal of the Defence Forces personnel will be coordinated in this context. Irish personnel will complete their service with the mission in December 2014.
The proposed NATO-led mission in Afghanistan, post 2014, will be a follow on training advisory and assistance mission in support of the Afghan National Security Forces capacity building. The question of Ireland contributing to the follow on mission in Afghanistan is currently being considered in the context of what other contributing countries are planning. Any participation by Ireland in the follow on training mission will be subject to Government approval.
28. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Defence his plans to withdraw the seven Irish soldiers currently stationed in Afghanistan on 31 December 2014, as there will be mainly only US troops left on that date making the Irish soldiers much more vulnerable as the Taliban insurgents will seek to overthrow the western supported government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41262/14]
View answerIreland has participated in the NATO–led UN mandated International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan since 5 July 2002. Seven members of the Permanent Defence Force are currently serving in the mission headquarters. The ISAF mission is due to conclude on 31 December 2014 and the overall drawdown of ISAF personnel is currently underway. The withdrawal of the Defence Forces personnel will be coordinated in the context of the overall drawdown of the mission however it is expected that Irish personnel will complete their service with the mission on 31 December 2014.
The risks posed to all Irish personnel deployed on overseas missions are constantly monitored as part of the Defence Forces risk management process. The situation in Afghanistan will continue to be monitored by the Defence Forces.
The proposed NATO-led mission in Afghanistan, post 2014, will be a follow on training advisory and assistance mission in support of the Afghan National Security Forces capacity building. The question of Ireland contributing to the follow on mission in Afghanistan is currently being considered in the context of what other contributing countries are planning. Any participation by Ireland in the follow on training mission will be subject to Government approval.
29. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Defence noting the US Department of Defence Africa command document published in September 2011 stating that Lariam should be the drug of last resort after Malarone and Doxycycline, and other international moves away from usage of this drug, the reason for the Irish Defence Forces' continued use of same. [41263/14]
View answerThe Irish Defence Forces are not the only Defence Force using Lariam. I am advised that Lariam is also used by Sweden, Israel, Greece, Canada and Slovenia. The Military Authorities advise that it is a matter for individual Defence Forces to determine whichever malaria chemoprophylaxis it deems most suitable for use. Individual Defence Forces may have regard to the operational commitments and the medical and ancillary support available to its personnel on the ground whilst also taking account of the particular licensing regulations in respect of the drug, pertaining to their jurisdiction.
The Health Product Regulatory Authority (HPRA) formerly the Irish Medicines Board is the statutory authority with responsibility for quality, safety and efficacy of medicines in Ireland. The Defence Forces policy in regard to the prescribing of Lariam is in line with current HPRA guidelines.
It is the policy of the Defence Forces that personnel are individually screened for fitness for service overseas and medical suitability, i.e. a medical risk assessment for Lariam is carried out on an individual basis.
The Defence Forces are fully aware of the range of reported side effects attaching to all anti-malarial medications. Significant precautions are taken by the Medical Corps in assessing the medical suitability of members of the Defence Forces to take any of the anti-malarial medications. The choice of chemoprophylaxis is dependent on a number of factors. These include the type of malaria in the destination, resistance to particular drugs, the profile of the traveller (contra-indications, underlying health conditions, purpose of travel), the duration of travel and adherence issues. The choice of medication is a medical decision made by Medical Officers in the Defence Forces having regard to the specific circumstances of the mission and the individual member of the Defence Forces.
Anti-malarial medications must remain in the formulary of medications prescribed by the Medical Corps for Defence Forces personnel on appropriate overseas missions, to ensure that our military personnel can have effective protection from the very serious risks posed by this highly dangerous disease.
30. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Defence his plans to send Irish troops to Sierra Leone in the foreseeable future. [43267/14]
View answerThree members of the Permanent Defence Force are to deploy to the Embassy of Ireland, Freetown, Sierra Leone to assist in Ireland’s response to the Ebola crisis in West Africa. The three personnel, all of whom have considerable collective experience in West Africa, will be deployed to the Embassy under the Emergency Civilian Assistance Team initiative, established by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to respond to international crises.
As one of a small number of countries with an embassy in Freetown, Ireland has been very active in working with our local and international partners to fight the Ebola epidemic and the Defence Forces deployment will bring key technical skills which will enhance the embassy’s ability to respond.
The role of the Defence Forces personnel deployed will include reviewing and enhancing the embassy's contingency plans for security-related events and providing advice and support in logistics and emergency planning.
Consideration is also being given to the possible deployment of a small number of Defence Forces personnel to be embedded as part of a UK Armed Forces Treatment Unit in Kerrytown, Sierra Leone. Discussions are ongoing in this regard between the Irish and UK authorities.
31. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which the strength of the Defence Forces continues to be maintained and-or increased; the degree to which gender balance continues to be observed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43237/14]
View answerThe strength of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) at 30 September 2014, the latest date for which figures are available, is 9,200 of which 556 (6.04%) are female. The effective strength of the Reserve Defence Force (RDF) for the same date is 2,383, of which 361 (15.15%) are female. The table contains the above mentioned strengths. The establishment ceiling of the Permanent Defence Force is 9,500. The establishment ceiling of the Reserve Defence Force is 4,069. Recruitment campaigns are under way in order to reach this establishment. Current and future recruitment campaigns have sought to target potential female candidates however the number of females serving in the Defence Forces has remained similar since 2007.
As I outlined in my reply to Question Number 124 of 18 September 2014, the Government is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for men and women throughout the Defence Forces and to the full participation by women in all aspects of Defence Forces activities. A number of specific initiatives have been implemented to increase female participation in the Defence Forces including:
- The introduction of best practices in recruitment, such as the adjustment of physical standards for female applicants,
- Special consideration is paid to women as a target group for recruitment,
- A balanced composition between men and women on recruitment and selection boards,
- All promotions and career courses are open to both sexes on merit,
- A Gender Advisor has been appointed to promote gender equality policies and training within the Defence Forces.
The Defence Forces prides itself on providing a gender neutral working environment. Policies on equality are being constantly communicated to all ranks. The Military Authorities are alert and vigilant to this issue and are committed to addressing this matter in a continuing and proactive manner when it arises. However, a key impediment in achieving the target gender balance is the lack of female applicants relative to males.
I believe that there is a need to continue to develop and promote strategies that support increased female participation in the Defence Forces. To this end, as part of the recent recruitment campaign for enlisted personnel and the Reserve, specific efforts were made to increase the number of female applicants. These efforts included school visits, media engagement including national and local radio, targeting sports clubs and the use of social media. At the closing date for this recruitment campaign on 9 April 2014 there were 755 Female applicants or 10.3% out of a total of 7,295 applicants for the Permanent Defence Force and 320 female applicants or 14.9% out of a total of 2,146 applicants for the Reserve Defence Force. On the face of it these figures appear to be disappointing. However, I believe that a key issue in recruiting and retaining female personnel lies in societal perception and attitudes to female soldiers and officers. I am hopeful that through continued engagement and communication, this perception will change over time.
|
30-Sep-14 |
TOTAL STRENGTH |
FEMALE STRENGTH |
% FEMALE |
|
PDF WTE* |
9200 |
556 |
6.04% |
|
RDF EFFECTIVE** |
2383 |
361 |
15.15% |
*WTE is the Whole Time Equivalent strength which excludes those on Leave of Absence and Secondment.
**The RDF figures provided refer to the Effective strength which excludes Non-Effective personnel.
32. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Defence his views regarding the presence of US military aircraft in Irish territory and air space; the measures taken by the Irish Defence Forces to ensure that these aircraft are not armed, carrying arms or engaging in military exercises or operations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43272/14]
View answerPrimary responsibility for the regulation of activity by foreign military aircraft in Ireland rests with the Minister for Foreign Affairs & Trade in accordance with the Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft) Order 1952. The Defence Forces do not have a role in ensuring foreign military aircraft are not armed, carrying arms or engaging in military exercises or operations.
I understand from my colleague, Mr. Charlie Flanagan, T.D., Minister for Foreign Affairs & Trade that arrangements under which permission is granted for foreign military aircraft to land at Irish airports are governed by strict conditions. These include stipulations that the aircraft must be unarmed, carry no arms, ammunition or explosives and must not engage in intelligence gathering, and that the flights in question must not form part of military exercises or operations.
Requests to permit the landing of foreign military aircraft are considered by the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade on the basis of these conditions. Permission is not granted for the conduct of foreign military operations in Irish airspace.
33. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Defence his plans for the future of Columb Barracks, Mullingar, County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43287/14]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware the former barracks in Mullingar is currently used by Westmeath GAA Board under a short term licence. The former barracks is also currently used by An Garda Síochána and the Customs Service for training purposes and it is intended that these arrangements will remain in place. A number of other organisations and individuals have also made enquiries/suggestions in the recent past as to the possible use of the barracks and these are being looked at in the context of an overall plan for the barracks under a long term lease with Westmeath GAA Board. I expect that these arrangements will be finalised over the coming weeks.
34. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Defence the date on which the 4th Western Brigade was officially disestablished; the number of Permanent Defence Force personnel positions in the 14 units in Custume Barracks, County Westmeath, seven days prior to the date of official disestablishment and in accordance with that regulation on that date seven days prior to the date of official disestablishment; and the permitted number of PDF personnel in the nine PDF units and the PDF personnel in the five reserve units of Custume Barracks. [43293/14]
View answerRevised organisational structures for the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) came into effect on 30 November 2012. This re-organisation consolidated under-strength Army Units into a smaller number of full strength Units, within a revised two Brigade structure. Previous structures were officially disestablished at midnight on 29 November 2012. The re-organisation prioritised the operational effectiveness of the PDF within a revised strength ceiling of 9,500 personnel and has ensured that the PDF can continue to discharge all roles assigned by Government.
The detailed PDF organisational blueprint, including establishment strengths for Brigades, individual Units and sub-Units is set out in the Chief of Staff’s Administrative Instruction CS4. In the period leading up to 30 November 2012, Administrative Instruction CS4 was based on a PDF strength ceiling of 11,561 personnel. The table below sets out the establishment for Units located in Custume Barracks, Athlone in the period leading up to 30 November 2012. It should be noted that, in order for all posts, as set out in the Administrative Instruction, to be filled, an actual PDF strength level of 11,561 would have been required. This strength level has not been seen since the 1990s.
The White Paper on Defence (2000) reduced the permitted PDF strength ceiling to 10,500 personnel (with up to an additional 250 personnel in training). This meant that just over 1,000 of the posts in the Administrative Instruction CS4, which was intended for a strength level of 11,561 personnel, could not be filled. The permitted PDF strength ceiling was further reduced in October 2010 to 10,000 personnel, meaning that over 1,500 posts in the Administrative Instruction CS4 could not be filled. Following this, the strength level of the PDF continued to decline. In December 2011, the Government decided to stabilise the strength ceiling of the PDF at 9,500 personnel. At this point over 2,000 posts as contained in the then Administrative Instruction CS4, could not be filled.
This highlights two key facts: firstly, the number of posts that could be filled within Units was, since the year 2000, significantly less than the establishment strength of Units as set out in Administrative Instruction CS4 and secondly, this disparity had then more than doubled, arising from strength reductions due to the economic downturn. From 2000 onwards, the disparity required that PDF posts remained unfilled in Units across the Defence Forces, including in Units based in Custume Barracks, Athlone.
For the avoidance of doubt, let me reiterate that the establishment for Units located in Custume Barracks, Athlone, in the period leading up to 30 November 2012, did not reflect actual jobs in Custume Barracks. It has not done so since the 1990s. In the intervening period, it is the reductions in PDF strength that has reduced the number of jobs available in the PDF. This was not as a result of the re-organisation.
Following the Government’s decision to stabilise the strength ceiling of the PDF at 9,500 personnel, it was clear that the then organisational structures were an “ill-fit” and no longer viable. It was in this context that the then Minister for Defence initiated a major re-organisation of the Defence Forces.
The re-organisation did not significantly alter the actual number of PDF personnel serving in Custume Barracks, Athlone. The military authorities have advised me that in January and February 2011, the months immediately preceding that in which the current Government came into office, there were an average of 1,040 PDF personnel based in Custume Barracks. I am advised by the military authorities that in May 2012, there were 1,051 personnel based at Custume Barracks. On 23 November 2012, there were 865 personnel serving in Units located in Custume Barracks. In accordance with the revised organisational structures, as of 30 November 2012 the establishment for Units based in Custume Barracks is 995 personnel. As at 30 September 2014 (the latest figure available), there were 1,030 personnel based in Custume Barracks. This includes 93 personnel undertaking training courses there.
The effect of the re-organisation on Custume Barracks is that the actual number of PDF personnel based in Custume Barracks has been stabilised at a figure of approximately 1,000 personnel, within an overall strength ceiling of 9,500 PDF personnel.
Table - Establishment of Units based in Custume Barrack, as at 23rd November 2012, in accordance with Administrative Instruction CS4 (11,561 PDF personnel).
|
PDF Unit* |
Administrative Instruction CS4 (11,561 PDF Personnel) Establishment of those Units located in Custume Barracks up to 30 th November 2012 |
|
4th Western Brigade Headquarters |
67 |
|
6 Infantry Battalion |
470 |
|
4 Field Artillery Regiment |
211 |
|
4 Cavalry Squadron |
122 |
|
4 Field Engineer Company |
88 |
|
4 Field Communication and Information Services Company |
71 |
|
4 Field Military Police Company |
41 |
|
4 Logistics Support Battalion |
299 |
|
4 Brigade Training Centre |
21 |
|
Band of the 4 W Bde |
26 |
|
PDF Cadre in RDF Units |
|
|
56 Infantry Battalion |
8** |
|
56 Cavalry Squadron |
4 |
|
56 Field Engineer Company |
4 |
|
56 Communications and Information Services Company |
4 |
|
54 Military Police Company |
4 |
|
TOTAL |
1,440 |
* Certain of these Units were not located in Custume Barracks prior to 2009 and 2012.
** 56 Res Infantry Battalion had an establishment of 18 PDF Cadre. However, only eight of these were based in Custume Barracks, Athlone.
