asked the Minister for Defence what facilities or inducements are available to Army personnel to enable them to acquire a knowledge of Common Market languages.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Common Market Languages.
31.
To encourage officers of na BuanÓglaigh to learn certain foreign languages, including French, German, Italian and Dutch, a scheme is in operation for some years under which, subject to certain conditions, allowances are paid to a limited number of officers who qualify as interpreters and are engaged on duties involving the use of those languages.
Would the Minister mind telling me what is the amount of the allowance?
I have not got that information.
While congratulating the Minister on the fact that he has gone further than the other Departments in extending beyond French, does the Minister not think he should——
The Deputy should correct himself as far as the Department of Posts and Telegraphs is concerned.
It was the Taoiseach said a minute ago that none of you had gone any further. Is there no ministerial solidarity?
They do not know what they are at. Does the Minister for Defence not think it would be a good idea to accept the principle laid down by the Minister for Finance on 19th July and to provide special leave with pay to people to go abroad to finish their language course?
With reference to what Deputy Dillon said, I think the Department of Defence have had occasion to do something of this sort before the Common Market became practical politics.
An old arrangement.