asked the Minister for Defence if he will set up a commission to inquire into and report on pay, promotion, conditions of service and disciplinary procedures in the Army.
57.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Army Pay and Conditions.
56.
asked the Minister for Defence if he is prepared to set up a commission on the lines of the Conroy Commission to investigate pay, pension and employment conditions of Army personnel.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 56 and 57 together.
The answer is in the negative. As has already been mentioned in the House, a special review of the pay of the Permanent Defence Force and related matters is at present being carried out by a working party from the Departments of Finance and Defence, including a military representative. I am satisfied that this review adequately meets the requirements of the situation.
I am taking steps in consultation with the Minister for Finance to ensure that the task of the working party is completed as a matter of urgency.
Have recent proposals to increase Army pay been investigated as a result of recommendations made by this commission?
The working party was set up to do a certain task—that is to review pay and related matters. The findings of that review will be supplied to the Ministers for Finance and Defence and the report will then be submitted——
I understand that a decision to increase pay was made recently. Do we understand from that that it may be quite a considerable time before the report of the commission will be received?
I can assure the Deputy that a decision will be announced shortly.