With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take together Questions Nos. 24 to 30, inclusive.
Command of the Defence Forces is exercisable by the Government acting through and by the Minister for Defence pursuant to section 17 (1) of the Defence Act, 1954. A fundamental principle of command is the duty to ensure that good orders and discipline are maintained in the Defence Forces. The Minister may consider the formation of associations of officers of the Reserve of Officers, including the FCA and An Slua Muirí or of men of the Reserve of Men, including the FCA and An Slua Muirí, provided that the draft constitution, objects and rules of any such association are submitted to him for his prior approval and are in no way prejudicial to the good order and discipline of the Defence Forces.
On 26th February, 1966, an advertisement appeared in the public press indicating the formation of an Officers' Association and purporting to convene a general meeting of officers of the FCA and An Slua Muirí at Birr on 6th March, 1966. The method employed by the organisers was to ignore the proper procedure and to convene this meeting to be attended by officers in civilian attire without prior consultation with their superiors and without disclosing their intentions or objects.
When this matter came to the notice of the Military authorities, officers of the FCA and An Slua Muirí were asked to attend conferences with Brigade and other Commanders at which they were advised in accordance with the foregoing principle in regard to attendance at meetings at which the direction and control of the FCA and An Slua Muirí might be questioned. A communication to this effect was sent to each Officer of the Reserve of Officers — First Line, FCA, and Slua Muirí. The matter was not considered by the Council of Defence. The action was taken by the appropriate military authorities with my full approval.
Officers and men of the Reserve Defence Force are subject to military law in the circumstances provided for respectively in sections 118 (1) (b) and (c) and 119 (b) of the Defence Act, 1954. Their liability for service is governed by, in the case of officers, Defence Force Regulations R.1, paragraph 10; R. 5, paragraph 35 ; and R. 6 paragraph 41; and in the case of men by sections 87 to 95 of the Defence Act, 1954.
I am advised that the constitutional or legal rights of members of the Defence Forces have not been infringed in this matter and consequently the question of reassuring such members in regard thereto does not arise.