asked the Minister for Defence if it is intended to grant additional pay to Army personnel engaged in looking after refugees from the Six Counties.
Ceisteann—Questions. Oral Answers. - Army Pay.
106.
The granting of additional pay to such personnel is not proposed.
In view of the fact that army personnel who were engaged in public transport work during the bus strike some time ago received extra remuneration, can the Minister say why it is not proposed to give extra pay to the army personnel now looking after the refugees at Gormanston camp? These people are on duty from about eight o'clock in the morning until after 11 at night for seven days a week acting in every capacity, from babysitter to cook.
I agree that the army personnel involved in this operation with the refugees from Northern Ireland deserve the highest praise. From personal knowledge, I am aware that they took on this job and have dealt with it in their usual competent way. However, I am not aware that the duties imposed on the army personnel are excessive.
Perhaps, the reason why the Minister says that is because he does not live beside the camp but I do. Would the Minister not consider looking into the matter to see if some compensation could be given to these people who are doing a job which, to coin a phrase, is far above the call of duty?
The army personnel concerned are doing an excellent job and this is what we have come to expect from the Irish Army. Anything they do is done superlatively well and this case is no exception.
In case the Minister might get the impression that anyone is trying to say that they are not, this is not so.
I am not trying to say any such thing. I know they are doing their job well.
Those who are doing the job should be getting some compensation for it.
I can assure the Deputy that all the men in the Army are on a similar scale of duty and that the people involved in this operation are not in any way severely taxed in relation to the other people in the Army.
That suggestion does not arise but the fact that they are doing work which, normally, they would not be called on to do, should warrant some recompense being made to them and I am surprised that the Minister has adopted this attitude. He has expressed gratitude to them. Gratitude is all very well but it cannot be taken to a shop because one will get nothing for it.
I am surprised at Deputy Tully seeking to suggest that the Army personnel at Gormanston are entitled to better pay than others in the Army because one must remember that these other people are also doing their duty.
107.
asked the Minister for Defence if it is proposed to grant a pay increase to Army personnel on the lines of the increases granted in the other public services.
I assume that the Deputy is referring to the extension of the eleventh round pay increase applicable to other sectors of the public service. This increase was comprehended in the new rates of pay for non-commissioned officers and privates announced on the 7th instant.
The increase has also been granted to officers and will be paid to them as soon as possible.
Can the Minister assure me that they will receive this before Christmas?
Every effort will be made to ensure that they will get their pay entitlement as soon as possible.
I am not prepared to accept that. I know what happens to the fellows at the bottom of the ladder when money like this is being paid out by the Office of Public Works. It is typical for men to have to wait as long as 12 months for an increase.
The men at the bottom of the ladder will not be left waiting.
That is why I have put down the Question. If the Minister assures me that they will get their money before Christmas, I will take his word for it.
I am grateful to Deputy Tully for his assistance but I did not require it because I am conscious of the fact that the payment of army personnel is my responsibility.
Deputy Tully did not know that you did not require it.