asked the Minister for Defence if the Army Council recommended the establishment of a Commission to consider Army pay and conditions; and, if so, what action it is proposed to take on this recommendation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Army Pay and Conditions.
323.
It would be contrary to policy to disclose the proceedings of the Council of Defence to which I assume the Deputy is referring.
As regards Army pay, my predecessor indicated in reply to Question No. 84 on 28 November 1968, that he was considering whether a special review of the pay of the Permanent Defence Force and related matters should be undertaken. That review is in progress.
Has the Minister considered, in the light of consideration which the Council of Defence gave to this matter and the fact that an independent tribunal was established for the gardaí, the question of granting some form of independent tribunal in respect of army personnel?
I did not say that the Council of Defence had considered it.
Both of us know they have.
What I said was that the whole question is under review.
By whom?
By the Department of Defence and——
That is what the army personnel object to. They would like an independent body to consider the matter. It was granted in respect of other public servants, teachers, the gardaí and so on.
If the Deputy awaits the findings of the review now in progress he might not have a great deal to complain about.