I move:
That a sum not exceeding £12,452,000 be granted to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1969, for the Salaries and Expenses of the Office of the Minister for Defence, including certain services administered by that Office; for the Pay and Expenses of the Defence Forces; and for payment of a Grant-in-Aid.
The Estimate for Defence is for a sum of £12,452,000, which is £483,000 more than last year's Vote. It is based on an average strength of 1,168 officers, 69 cadets and 7,500 men. The last mentioned figure is 350 more than the average provided for last year. Apart from other considerations, our overseas commitments impose a strain on manpower resources at home, as regards both training and routine duties. If we can reach this average strength of 7,500 —as I believe we can, because the Army now offers a reasonably well-paid job to young men—the disadvantages of having so many of our troops on overseas service will be considerably counterbalanced.
During the past year this country continued to contribute contingents for service with the United Nations Force in Cyprus. Including the 10th Infantry Group which commenced its tour of duty in March, 11 units and associated staff elements of a total strength of about 6,000 all ranks have served in Cyprus during the past four years.
For the greater part of that period, the Irish contingents have been deployed in the north-western region of the island. The normal duties of the troops consist in manning various United Nations observation posts, most of which are located between Greek-Cypriot and Turkish-Cypriot positions; in patrolling the area under the contingent's care; in maintaining liaison with the local inhabitants, and in helping with social and economic problems within the area such as harvesting operations and the care of refugees. I am glad to say that over the past year reports indicate that the Irish units continue to do a very good job. Tension in their area has lessened considerably and this must be regarded as due, in great measure, to their patient and tactful endeavours. Deputies will, I know, join with me in congratulating them on the excellent manner in which they are performing their duties. I sincerely hope that the efforts of all working on behalf of the United Nations will lead to an early settlement.
The morale and discipline of the troops continue to be of a high order, and the health record of the units is also quite satisfactory. One of our officers, Captain Christopher McNamara, died in Cyprus last January from natural causes. Deputies will join with me in an expression of sympathy to his wife and family.
Efforts have continued, in co-operation with the United Nations, towards improving conditions for the Irish troops serving in Cyprus. As examples, all the exposed observation posts in the Irish area were provided with semi-permanent accommodation and all Irish troops serving on the island last winter were issued with a fully integrated combat dress designed to give better protection in wet or cold weather conditions.
In introducing the Estimates for my Department last year, I gave the House information in relation to this country's extra and extraordinary expenses arising from the supply of contingents to the United Nations Force in Cyprus. I mentioned in particular that the Minister for External Affairs was pursuing vigorously the question of a refund from the United Nations of a balance of £473,700 long outstanding against claims in respect of allowances paid prior to 26th June, 1965. I am happy to tell the House that the efforts of the Minister were successful. A refund of the balance of £473,700 was made by the United Nations in August last and since that date further sums amounting to about £200,000 have been refunded. The position now is that the only amount outstanding is one of about £90,000 in respect of a recent claim and payment of that amount is expected in the near future. It may interest Deputies to know that claims for extra and extraordinary expenses, in respect of the Cyprus operation, refunded to date by the United Nations amount to almost £1,561,000.
Once again I thank the many firms and individuals who continue to provide comforts for our troops serving overseas. It is now almost eight years since the first Irish unit went to the Congo and during all that time one or two Irish units have been continually serving abroad. All of them have benefited from the praiseworthy work of the organisers of comforts. This work is done entirely on a voluntary basis and provides an opportunity for people to show in a concrete way their appreciation of the Irish troops going on peace-keeping missions.
Irish officers continue to serve with the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation in the Middle East assisting and maintaining peace in that troubled area. Some months ago the Government acceded to a request from the Secretary-General for the services of eight additional officers in the Suez Canal sector. These officers took up duty last January bringing the total number of Irish officers serving with the mission to 18. They are making a valuable contribution, often in trying circumstances, to the work of the United Nations. The senior Irish Officer holds the appointment of Chairman of the Israel-Syria Mixed Armistice Commission.
Deputies will recall the death last year, in tragic circumstances, of Commandant Thomas Wickham while serving with the Truce Supervision Organisation, and again I know that I am speaking for the entire House when I extend renewed sympathy to his wife and family. In awarding posthumously the United Nations Service Medal to him the Secretary-General of the United Nations said in the citation:
Commandant Wickham died carrying out his duties for the United Nations in the cause of peace in the Middle East. This Medal recognises and honours his courage and his devotion to a cause for which he gave his life.
At home, despite the strains and stresses to which I have already referred, the morale of the Defence Forces has remained remarkably good. Our policy at all times in accepting recruits is that they should be young men of good character. This apparently is not always understood outside the Army. In some quarters, it seems to be thought that an alternative to punishment in the Law Courts is to join the Army. I have had occasion to make it clear that this is not so.
I should like once again to express my admiration of An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil and An Slua Muirí. These forces are an essential part of our national defence, and their members by generously giving of their time and energy are a fine example of good citizens in action. Training last year suffered because of the precautions against foot-and-mouth disease, so I would appeal for the fullest possible attendance at all forms of training this year.
The ordinary day-to-day activities continued as usual. The total flying time of the three helicopters last year was 983 hours, the highest for any year since they were acquired. Apart from training and general activities, they flew 43 ambulance missions and 23 search and rescue missions in which nine lives were saved. I understand that the manufacturers of the helicopters have complimented the Air Corps on high utilisation in relation to low spares consumption, indicating high piloting and servicing efficiency.
The question of new vessels for the Naval Service has frequently been raised in the House and elsewhere. Examination of this very difficult problem is now nearing a conclusion and I expect to report to the Government at an early date.
The training of pilots for Aer Lingus continues at Gormanston, but the scheme for the training of fishermen at Haulbowline on behalf of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries has terminated, alternative arrangements having been made by that Department. The Army's own apprentice schemes—at Naas and at Baldonnel—the value of which is already well known to Deputies, also continues to operate successfully. As regards the Naas location, I am pleased to say that it has been decided to erect a new billet block for the apprentices there. It is hoped that the work will be commenced during the current financial year.
The number of civil aircraft using Irish airspace is increasing annually. This calls for efficient civil/military co-ordination in the interests of safety and the smooth flow of traffic. For some time, therefore, as a result of arrangements between my Department and the Department of Transport and Power, air traffic control officers of the Air Corps are operating the surveillance radar at Dublin airport jointly with the civil controllers.
The Military College embarked on a new undertaking last October when six officer cadets of the Republic of Zambia were received for training. The visitors have settled in very well and their training to date has progressed satisfactorily. Tuition and training are designed to fit the cadets for commissioned rank and their course is generally in accordance with the syllabus for Irish cadets. The cost is met by the Government of Zambia.
During 1967, a mixed military/ civilian team competed at the international horse shows at London, Dublin, Ostend, Rotterdam and Geneva. Teams from the Equitation School also competed at 40 provincial shows and gymkhanas. It is proposed to make Army riders and horses available to take part in mixed military/ civilian teams to represent Ireland at this year's London and Dublin Shows. An all-Army team has gone to Lucerne. Further, either an all-Army team or a mixed team will compete at New York and Toronto. I understand that a decision has not yet been taken in regard to the sending of a show-jumping team to the Olympic Games in Mexico. Any Army riders and horses of suitable standard will, if required, be made available to make up a national team for the event.
Deputies, particularly those who are members of local authorities and who, in that capacity, attend Civil Defence functions from time to time are, I am sure, aware of the place that the civil defence organisation has established for itself. Apart from its primary purpose, it has also shown itself to have a useful capacity for assisting in various types of peace-time emergencies such as rescue operations of one kind or another. This is, of course, a secondary consideration but nevertheless something worth having in every county.
The inflow of new members has continued during the year, and this will, in general, replace those trained members who have ceased regular attendance at training centres. These latter, as long as they remain members, would be expected to make themselves available for service in a war-time emergency and I have every confidence that they would do so. In effect it can be said that the continual training of new members is bringing about a growing aggregate of men and women with a sound basic knowledge of various aspects of Civil Defence operations and procedures.
Some 7,600 volunteers underwent training at 378 training centres, approximately 3,300 volunteers attended 14 week-end camps and a total of 5,200 participated in 57 field days. Special courses at the Civil Defence School were attended by 740 persons. Training was suspended in all areas other than Dublin and Cork cities for over two months as part of the precautions against foot-and-mouth disease.
Considerable progress has been made during the year in the establishment of county control centres from which local operations could be directed by trained control staffs. Construction or adaptation of buildings for 16 county control centres has been authorised and is proceeding satisfactorily. In three other cases proposals are under examination.
In ten centres where the establishment of protected permanent controls has not, for one reason or another, proved feasible up to the present, the local authorities have been asked to make provision for the setting up of temporary county controls at short notice.
I also mentioned last year the preparation of county and county borough mobilisation schemes. Most of these have now been completed by the local authorities. Those schemes are designed to facilitate mobilisation at short notice of identified, and I stress the word identified, Civil Defence manpower and resources. The efficiency with which the schemes were prepared reflects excellent co-operation between the local authority officials and my Department. These schemes will be kept constantly under review and will be brought up to date as required.
I am satisfied that, in our circumstances, we are developing our civil defence organisation on the most appropriate and economical lines. We are steadily achieving a reasonable operational competence in personnel, equipment and communications, and I have no hesitation in assuring all those good citizens who have undergone or are now taking civil defence training that by their willingness to serve the nation they are performing worthwhile and patriotic service.
The Irish Red Cross Society over the past 12 months continued its laudable work for the relief of suffering and distress both at home and abroad. I cannot speak too highly of the members of this Society who voluntarily devote themselves to humanitarian work. For our children I can think of no better introduction to humanitarian activities than membership of the Junior Red Cross which, I am happy to note, devotes considerable energy to helping disabled and handicapped children. The Junior Red Cross also organised a most successful international study and friendship centre at Gormanston in August last at which representatives from ten countries were present. Those young people are a credit to their parents and schools and to the Society.
During the year the Society again donated a substantial sum to help relieve famine in India. During the past few years the Society has contributed almost £13,500 to this cause. It also rendered assistance, in response to appeals from the International Committee of the Red Cross and the League of Red Cross Societies, to refugees in the Middle East and Vietnam and helped in the relief of distress following earthquakes in Turkey, Sicily and Yugoslavia and floods in Italy. During the year the Society continued to care for refugees from North China at Naomh Aindrias Home in Dublin.
As I mentioned at the outset, the Estimate is £483,000 greater than last year's Vote. The increase is spread over a number of subheads; there are also some decreases. It may suffice at this stage if I say something about the larger increases and decreases. When concluding I can go into more detail in response to any points that may arise in the course of the debate.
The increase of £122,000 in Subhead B—Pay of the Permanent Defence Force—is due almost entirely to the proposed increase of 350 in the average strength of men to which I have already referred. The increase of £48,000 in Subhead C—Allowances of the Permanent Defence Force—is entirely for marriage allowance. Higher rates of pay in some instances are responsible for the increase of £58,280 in Subhead F—Pay of Civilians attached to Units. The increases of £150,000 in Subhead H—Defensive Equipment—£55,000 in Subhead J—Mechanical Transport— £32,000 in Subhead O1—General Stores—£31,000 in Subhead P—Naval Stores—and £40,000 in Subhead S— Buildings—arise from the necessity to procure essential stores and equipment and from a desire to improve accommodation and other amenities. The increase of £36,000 in Subhead K— Provisions—is attributable to the proposed increase in strength. The increase of £59,700 in Subhead V—Insurance —is due partly to the proposed increased strength and partly to the resent increased rates of insurance. The greater part of the increase of £14,670 in Subhead X—Travelling and Incidental Expenses—will go on advertising in connection with the proposed strength increase. The grant-in-aid of the Irish Red Cross Society—Subhead BB— shows an increase of £10,350 to meet possible expenditure on emergency relief work.
As to the decreases, the only one which calls for particular comment is that of £20,000 in Subhead A, which is the subhead relating to the civil side of my Department. It has been found possible to reduce somewhat the provision for the staff of the Civil Defence Branch, as a result of the completion of certain aspects of the work. A computer has recently been installed in the Finance Branch and it is now processing officers' and men's pay, soldiers' marriage allowance and all pensions. Staff savings are already materialising and this is reflected in the increased deduction for probable vacancies during the year. The increased strength figure shown for the Branch—240 as against 226 last year—is a temporary one, representing the provision of a computer team for a running-in period before the staff savings on the work now being done on the computer can be fully effected.
This year's Estimate for Army Pensions is £2,861,000, an increase of £141,710 over last year's Vote which was increased by a Supplementary Vote of £10,000 and the transfer of £170,290 from the Vote for Increases in Pensions to meet last year's budgetary increases.
The increase of £141,710 is spread over the main subheads and there is nothing which calls for special explanation or comment. The amount now being sought does not, of course, include the cost of the increases in pensions and other benefits announced by the Minister for Finance in his recent Budget Statement.
Again, when concluding, I will be happy to deal with any questions put to me on points raised during the debate.
As the Army Pensions Bill is being debated in conjunction with the Estimate, with the permission of the House I will read the statement I proposed to read in moving the Second Reading so that the House will know, so far as I possibly can explain, what is in the Bill.