asked the Minister for Defence if he will state why a certificate of discharge was refused to a private residing in Armagh.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Refusal of Discharge Certificate.
In accordance with Defence Force Regulations a certificate of discharge cannot be issued to a reservist who is in a state of absence without leave on the date when the period of his engagement expires. As the reservist concerned was an absentee from annual training in 1951 and 1952 he was, on termination of his engagement, issued with a protection certificate in lieu of a certificate of discharge.
Is the Minister aware that in this particular case the reservist could not obtain permission to appear for his annual training by reason of the fact that if he did he would be sacked from his job? Therefore would the Minister not see that there should be special consideration for these young men in the Six Counties who did present themselves for membership in our National Army during the emergency? Would he further consider allowing these reservists to appear for their annual training during the period when they have holidays? In this particular case the reservist was willing to come down to this part of the country to do his annual training in the month of October.
All I can say, in reply to that, is that every facility is made available for reservists in the manner suggested by the Deputy. If they are not able to come at the particular time for the particular course in which they would be operating—that is infantry, transport, supply, or whatever it may be—and if it is possible to make another date available, that is done. In view of the fact that the particular individual was not in service in two consecutive years we could do nothing else because he was not a member of the Army. The only thing we could do in the circumstances was to issue this certificate to ensure that he will not be liable to arrest as an absentee from the Army.
Does the Minister not appreciate the feelings of this man and other men like him who have been denied discharge certificates from the Army? The protection certificate is merely an excuse and is, in fact, a slur upon him. Might I again ask the Minister if he, personally, is aware that this man offered to come to the Curragh or to Dublin to do his annual training this year in the month of October?
I am not so aware.
Would the Minister reconsider giving him a 100 per cent. discharge if that were the case and if he did present himself for training?
In the circumstances I could not because, as I have already informed the Deputy, he was an absentee on the dates in question.
Does the Minister not appreciate that if he had presented himself at the Curragh he would be sacked?