asked the Minister for Defence whether applicants for cadetships in the Army must have a competent knowledge of Irish; and if non-commissioned officers or private soldiers need such a qualification for promotion to commissioned ranks.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Army Cadets, N.C.O.s and Private: Qualifications in Irish.
16.
The answer to the first part of the Deputy's Question is "Yes".
As regards the second part, non-commissioned officers and privates must secure cadetships in order to be eligible for appointment to commissioned rank.
Would it not be as well for the Minister, when advertising for recruits, to tell them that anybody who joins the Army and has not a competent knowledge of Irish has no chance of promotion?
The conditions for securing cadetships are available to everybody who applies for them.
I want to draw the attention of the Minister to the fact that there are many people who join the Army as privates in the hope that they can work themselves up in the Army. That is something that soldiers always could do. There was a time when every soldier was considered to have a marshal's baton in his knap-sack.
The Deputy is making a speech.
The same conditions are prescribed for cadetships, whether from the ranks of the Army or from outside.
They have no chance of promotion if they have not got Irish?
(Interruptions.)
They can be promoted to the non-commissioned ranks.
But not to the higher ranks?
An anti-Irish Irishman.
(Interruptions.)
Question No. 17.