When I reported progress on the last day, I was dealing with the sporting activities of the Army and expressed the opinion that they should be more involved in games within the community. I referred to the Collins football team in Cork, which county had a great team, particularly in the early and middle 50s. Such involvement creates good relations between the Army and the ordinary people. There were officers and private soldiers playing football together on that team.
I want to refer again to the position of Collins Barracks in Cork. As I pointed out, much of the accommodation there is in need of improvement. Has the Minister considered whether or not Collins Barracks, as at present sited, is the ideal choice for a barracks in that city? While it commands a great position within the city, with the growth in the volume of traffic it is not as easy to get to and particularly from, as it was in olden times. Therefore, I wonder if the Minister or his Department have ever considered the relocation of the principal barracks in the Cork area and whether it would be worth looking at Ballincollig to see if sufficient space and land is available there to build a new barracks; there would be easy access to and from it in an emergency and there would not be the same build-up of traffic in narrow streets and narrow roads such as there is in the city area at present.
Still on the land situation, I think it was Deputy Taylor who mentioned the Curragh. I am sure the Minister is examining, if he has not already done so, what lands are held by the Army and what their future use should be, whether it is wise to retain them all, whether some of them should not be devoted to other purposes. I refer to places like the Curragh, Kilworth and Crosshaven. There is the question as to whether some of these lands could be put to other use, given to the public for recreational facilities, maybe for housing, as was done in the case of the large tract of land which was handed over to Cork County Council from the Ballincollig area.
On the question of Civil Defence, I should like to compliment those people who are devoting so much of their free time to training and in improving their own efficiency at camp sites and in the ordinary weekly training that takes place within the Civil Defence organisation. This, of course, is something that can be expanded but I often wonder if we as a people are sufficiently aware of the functions performed and the facilities provided by Civil Defence. During the heavy flooding of January when families were in difficulty, the Civil Defence were willing not only to help out by pumping water out of houses, getting people to new accommodation and providing clothing and so on, but to have a stand-by telephone service at night. These people deserve to have a very high tribute paid to them. It often bothers me that the public may not be aware of these services. There are many emergencies in which these people are only too willing to put their facilities, their equipment and training, at the disposal of people who may be in distress of some kind. I am not saying it is not getting good coverage from the Minister's Department but sometimes when the need arises people do not know that such a service is available. Particularly now with camps being held in the summer months we should advertise and tell the public what is being done at the various camps. It would tend to give people who devote so much of their spare time to this service more job satisfaction and, perhaps, win greater appreciation from the general public.
In view of the Law of the Sea Conference which will be held in the near future I should like to know what our approach will be to the extension of the fishery limits and, the limits having been extended, what the approach will be to having them adequately controlled by our service vessels and personnel now and in the future. Provision must be made for the future rather than the present. The Minister said that one vessel has been provided but we must ask ourselves how many vessels do we need in the present and in the future. The Minister said that work on the second vessel will commence this year and that delivery may take place towards the end of 1975. What will be done after that? What plans have we in mind in regard to whatever extensions we will seek in our fishing limits?
The Minister referred to building work. Here, let me get in another plug regarding a few houses in the Crosshaven area. I am sure the same may be said in regard to Army houses in other areas. I am concerned about men who have given lifetime service in the Army and who for some reason are, perhaps, not in a position to acquire houses or possibly local authorities have no houses they can rent. These people, having retired and having reached that stage, find that their pensions—and these may be substantial in some cases— are withheld. I ask the Minister to examine that situation in each individual case, particularly if the children are still school-going, and look first at the amount of the pension. If it is substantial the Minister should consider what sum he would be justified in withholding while a man is overholding a house. I do not want to create a situation in which you have overholders forever. I appreciate the problem in that regard but I think there can be extenuating circumstances in very many cases, particularly in regard to the houses I mentioned. These are not as well equipped as I think houses for Army personnel should be today. Also, they are removed from the main barracks in Cork. When houses are provided for Army personnel today, I think they should have proper indoor toilets with hot and cold water laid on and all the modern amenities and facilities of the average home. This is important. I specifically ask the Minister to examine the situation I mentioned last week. I do not want him to open the floodgates completely and say that no matter what happens they will be allowed to stay on. I can well imagine the problems that would create but I do ask that each case be examined on its merits so as to see if it is justified from a social point of view to withhold all the weekly pensions.
I like the tribute the Minister paid to the Army. I think they have created a new image for themselves in the past ten or 15 years. I can imagine the problem of the Army in a small country like ours. If there is no sense of adventure or excitement or something to be concerned about, life for fit and trained men can be disillusioning and monotonous. The first change was wrought by the overseas service with the United Nations forces. Our troops have certainly done credit to themselves and their country. They have been good ambassadors in various places abroad. They deserve a tribute for the manner in which they have upheld our flag, our uniform and our country. More recently we had the northern situation and they have been called on to perform security functions in conjunction with the Garda. While it is unfortunate that this situation prevails and that the Army should be called on to exercise these functions we are all only too acutely aware of the need for them and of how well they have acted when called on.
The Minister spoke of the number of times the Army had been asked to undertake security operations. This is not the type of excitement we would like to have for our Army and I am sure we all regret that the situation in Northern Ireland provides it but undoubtedly all this has given a new life and a new image to the Army. It has also probably made clear to young people that there is a career in the Army. When I was speaking on the previous occasion I mentioned the necessity in order to foster not only the present recruiting drive but also to help towards future recruitment, that the image of the Army would be portrayed in schools where lads at the age of deciding on a career could, perhaps, be influenced by well disciplined Army personnel visiting them, speaking to them, showing them their uniform and convincing them that the Army would be worth considering as a career.
I should like to see the FCA annual training further developed and courses extended, again with a view to encouraging recruitment, with a view to giving these young people, proper facilities that would leave them as ambassadors of the Army, the Army salesmen, and the people who could help the Minister in his recruiting campaign. We must ensure that when they go on their month's training their accommodation is good. The accommodation for such members of the Defence Forces, as well as that for the regular soldiers, can never be good enough. In this regard I am glad the Minister announced that a number of new barracks are being erected. Accommodation is always very important and I hope the Minister continues his drive in this regard.
I should like to remind the Minister that he promised on the last occasion to invite me to inspect Collins Barracks with him on the occasion of his visit there. I look forward to joining the Minister on that trip.
The money spent on the Army Equitation School is worthwhile and I hope we will see good results from it in the years to come. I remember as a boy hearing of the great achievements of Army horsemen who represented the country many years ago. Many of these Army horsemen were held in high esteem throughout the world. I feel sure every Member of the House would like to see the present Army team reaching the heights of glory of former teams. The money devoted to this school by the Minister I feel sure will lead to the Army team being a great competitive force at show jumping events throughout the world.
On the last occasion I expressed my disappointment that the Minister had not made any reference to the Claudia incident in his statement, particularly in view of the fact that last year when I raised this matter I was informed that it was sub judice. I was disappointed that aliens got away. Some of our own people who were brought to court were penalised and are still being penalised but the aliens who were involved got away completely free.
