asked the Minister for Defence if arrangements will be made to have membership of the equitation school open to all ranks in the Army.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Army Equitation School.
48.
I assume that the Deputy has in mind the participation of all ranks in equitation competitions. While I would be happy to see non-commissioned officers and privates, as well as officers, participating in such competitions, the mechanisation of the Army and the virtual disappearance of mounted troops renders it difficult to discern non-commissioned personnel with the potential to make suitable riders.
In the case of officers, equitation is part of the curriculum at the cadet school and in this way potentially suitable riders can be selected for attachment to the equitation schools. Obviously this course would not be feasible in the case of non-commissioned personnel.
Surely the idea should be to get the best possible riders. We have the horses. We have not had the success in recent years which we had in past years. Surely the idea should be to get the best possible riders for our horses.
I can assure the Deputy that the whole question of the selection of suitable personnel for the equitation school is under review at the moment.
At present they are being selected from a small number only—from the officers. Surely if this were open to non-commissioned officers there would be a good chance of getting some excellent riders.
Owing to the difficulties I have mentioned of identifying personnel, other than cadets, this has not yet been feasible.
Horsemen are born.
Would the Minister not admit that the aptitudes of privates and NCOs for other tasks in the Army are easily ascertained? The Army can soon find out what they are good at in civilian life. Could the same thing not apply with regard to the equitation school?
The handling of horses is a very specialised job.
NCOs and privates can handle horses.
The whole question in relation to the selection of equitation personnel is under review.
Question No. 49 postponed.