asked the Minister for Justice when is it intended to form the auxiliary security force announced in July, 1974; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Auxiliary Security Force.
53.
Detailed arrangements for the setting up of the proposed security service have been drawn up but the question of proceeding with the proposal is one which will have to be reviewed in the light of all the circumstances since the idea was first mooted.
It is six months since this service was announced by the Taoiseach—I imagine off the top of his head because I do not think he really meant it and the Minister is standing over his statement. May we take it that the service will be set up in the next six months? What form will it take?
The announcement of this service was made after proper consideration and I must reject the Deputy's suggestion that the announcement was made off the top of anyone's head. The service was proposed in a particular security context and, hopefully, that context may change. All of us hope and pray it will change. When that wished-for event happens, the proposed security service will have to be looked at again to see if it could have a different role or if there would be any role for it. The best way I can put it is that, if peace should come to this land the role of that service will have to be examined.
Everyone knows that what the Minister has said is a load of waffle. It would be much better if he told the House whether it was intended to establish this force. Is it not true that it was announced on an occasion when the Taoiseach was obliged to make a statement and, in order to grab a headline, he proposed the establishment of this force?
The Deputy is making a statement.
Is it not the case that there were not consultations with the security forces before the statement was made?
Deputy Molloy should allow Question Time to proceed. I am calling Question No. 54.
It would be more honest and sincere if the Minister would tell the House the facts, that this force will never be established because it was never intended to establish it. It was just a Coalition gimmick or, in the words of Deputy Kelly, another trick-o'-the-loop.
The Deputy has persisted with his questions although he was asked not to do so. He is holding up the business of the House.
I am sorry, I did not hear the Chair.
It is a very important matter.
If I might use the Deputy's word, what he has said is a load of waffle.
Nobody believe the Government.
This service was announced at a time when the State appeared to be threatened by a bombing campaign and to try to denigrate any steps taken in such a serious situation is unbecoming. For the information of the Deputies, I would point out that the structure of this force has been decided on and agreed in consultation with the Garda Síochána but, because of the changing political situation in Northern Ireland, its role will have to be reexamined.
Will the Minister state how the decision was arrived at in the first instance?
Deputy Andrews was never privy to the inner council of his party, but from his position as Chief Whip he should know how decisions are arrived at.
Will the Minister state how long it took to arrive at the decision? Will he not give us that information?
I am not going to give that information because it is a silly question.
It was another gimmick by the Coalition. It was never intended to establish the force.
I have called Question No. 54 on a number of occasions. Will Deputies please allow Question Time to continue?
Every Government decision has to be examined and each matter requires its own time. The question put by the Deputy was silly.