asked the Minister for Defence whether he is aware that considerable apprehension has been caused amongst members of the Local Defence Forces in the City and County of Dublin by his recent declaration of the functions of that force, when he was understood to have indicated that the force should expect to be used for observation and traffic control rather than assisting the Army, towards which their training has been aimed; and whether he will state the reasons for this change and whether it has been officially communicated to the personnel of the force.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Functions of L.D.F. in Dublin.
Mr. Cosgrave
I am not aware that considerable apprehension has been caused amongst members of the Local Defence Force in the City and County of Dublin by a recent statement I made regarding the functions of that force.
The statement was based on instructions given by the competent Army authorities to Local Defence Force personnel undergoing courses of instruction at Army training centres and does not constitute a change in policy.