asked the Minister for Defence if he will accord to the FCA similar conditions in relation to the issue of uniforms as those accorded to An Slua Muirí.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil.
18.
The FCA are an Army reserve, whereas An Slua Muirí are a Naval reserve. The items of uniform are dissimilar for the most part. However, the regulations governing the manner in which issues of both types of uniform are made are similar. If the Deputy has some particular aspect of the regulations in mind and will communicate it to me, I will be happy to have the matter examined.
19.
asked the Minister for Defence if, in view of the dissatisfaction within the FCA at the moment due to the delay in the issue of a statement on the proposed reorganisation, he will now state the plans he has for the FCA.
The role and functions of the Defence Forces and the organisation and structures of both the Permanent Defence Force and the Reserve Defence Forces are constantly under review in my Department in the light of changing circumstances. In that context a study is at present being carried out of the FCA. Should changes be considered necessary, they will be implemented. I cannot say what changes, if any, will be made until the study has been completed.
Is the Minister aware that there is grave doubt among the members of this responsible force in regard to the failure of the Minister to make known to them the nature of the reorganisation that is apparently under way? Is he aware of the grave dissatisfaction because personnel recruited from last April will not be allowed to go on annual training this year and that security duties are being restricted? Would he give us some indication as to why this directive should have been issued at this time? Is it because of lack of finance that recruits are to be deprived of annual training this year?
The matter of annual training is the subject of another question and I shall deal with it when that question is reached. I am aware of the dissatisfaction in the FCA because the study in question has not been completed but I, too, am thoroughly dissatisfied with the present situation regarding the FCA. I am dissatisfied because of the volume of fall-out at the end of a year and I am concerned with the cost involved for the Government. We are getting good value in the present circumstances. By that I do not mean good value in terms of money but in terms of the proper job being done by those who enlist. I will do my best to have the study completed and shall make decisions on it. Also, I can promise the Deputy that whatever changes may be considered necessary will be implemented before next year's training session. I am confident that these changes will be to the satisfaction not only of the FCA but of the Minister.
Is the Minister aware of the fears of the FCA that their force is being phased out? Would he clarify this situation for the benefit of those responsible members who have volunteered and, also, can he state why there is a restriction in so far as training is concerned for this year and why members of the FCA are not to be considered for some security duties?
As I have indicated, the question of annual training is the subject of another question. In relation to security duties there was a situation in my Department whereby it was indicated that the cost of FCA men coming into barracks had rocketed to three or four times the figure it had been. Without my knowledge there was, not a directive, but an indication given that there should be greater and more careful examination of the barrack guard duties which the FCA were undertaking before very considerable expense should be engaged in in this regard. As soon as I became aware of this, I indicated that because of the Border situation and the need for the guards to be helped in their security duties, we should not penny-pinch in any way in relation to FCA men coming into barracks to carry out some security duties, thereby releasing members of the Permanent Defence Force for security duties. That situation has changed so the Deputy is out of date.
The Minister——
Question No. 20. I have given the Deputy a lot of latitude in this matter.
——has indicated that a directive was issued without his knowledge.
The Minister has not so indicated.
That is what the Minister has said.
The Deputy is entering the realm of argument.
The Minister referred to his having become aware of it.
I said that not a directive but an indication was given from my Department, without my knowledge, as the cost of FCA men coming into barracks to do guard duty had rocketed to about three times its previous figure and that, therefore, commanding officers who had the task of deciding whether FCA men should be called out ought to be careful in their appraisal of any such situation. I said that as soon as this became known to me—this would have been about two months ago—I immediately called in the civil servants in my Department together with the military authorities concerned and indicated that because of the necessity for members of the Permanent Defence Force to be engaged on security duties in greater numbers, there should be no such restriction. Indeed, there was not even a restriction but merely an indication that the cost had risen to three or four times its previous figure and that, therefore, a situation should be assessed carefully before calling in FCA men. There was no directive issued and any change that may have been made, if there was a change, was corrected by me.
I am positive that a directive was issued to the various battalions. Can the Minister indicate whether that directive was a military one, issued on the basis of cost or whether it was a Civil Service directive?
As there was no such directive, the matter does not arise.
I am calling Question No. 20.
The Minister has indicated that——
The Chair has called the next question.
Surely I am entitled to this information.
The Chair has given the Deputy a lot of latitude.
The Chair does not wish the Minister to answer.
He is letting the Minister off the hook.
Deputies must not reflect on the Chair.
The Minister is not on the hook.
In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the Minister's reply I propose with your permission, to raise the matter on the Adjournment.
The Chair will communicate with the Deputy.
20.
asked the Minister for Defence if he is aware that FCA officers are now forced to pay for their own uniforms because of the inadequacy of the uniform allowance of £25 which is payable every five years, taking into consideration that the cost of the uniform at present is £40.
Following a review of uniform allowances generally, the allowances paid to FCA officers were increased with effect from 1st June, 1974 as follows:
(a) Initial uniform allowance from £25 to £36.
(b) Uniform replenishment allowance from £5 to £7.20 per annum.
Is the Minister aware of the cost of the uniforms as distinct from the amount allowed for them?
We have increased the allowance from £25 to £36. The Deputy quotes a figure of £40 but if he wishes to argue with me about the £4 difference, he may do so.
One would get a bull for that amount.
We are back to the bull's wool.
We are not. The cloth used in the manufacture of these uniforms is of an excellent quality.
21.
asked the Minister for Defence why no annual training will be granted to recruits who enlist in the FCA after 30th April, 1975.
While the maximum facilities will be provided for annual training of the FCA during the summer period of this year there may be difficulty in providing staffs and accommodation for such training because of the necessity to house and train the influx of recruits to the Permanent Defence Force arising from the recruiting campaign. If such a situation arises priority for training will be given to personnel with long service who reported for training last year. It is, however, too early as yet to say whether annual training of the FCA this year will be restricted to any appreciable extent.
Would the Minister not agree that this situation is a disincentive so far as enlisting is concerned?
It will be my effort to ensure that every person who enlists in the FCA and who deserves training will go to summer camp. However, the situation is that we have a net gain of more than 1,000 in the Permanent Defence Force. My problem is one of accommodation and I am trying to resolve that by putting people under canvas during the summer season.
Is the Minister aware that a directive was issued in this regard also?
I am not so aware.
The Minister should check on this.
Has there been any indication to this effect?
No.
Is it not a little late in the day to be taking decisions in this regard since a young man who wishes to go on annual training would have to have made arrangements with his employer long before now?
I would not agree. The FCA units go on training together. For instance, the unit from the Louth-Meath area is in Kilkenny at present. People from the same unit are not sent to different training centres.
That is not my question.
They must go in units and this practice will continue.
Question No. 22.
Would the Minister not agree that young men who wish to go on annual training would need to have made arrangements with their employers by April or May of any year? It is late now for the Minister not to have made a firm decision as to how many are going on training this year.
The Deputy is incorrect.
From personal experience I know what I am talking about.
Let there be no argument.
Those people who joined the FCA recently or who were in the force last year know at what period during the year they would go on annual training. Happily we have more PDF recruits and it is my view that in another six months there will be more people on Border duty when these recruits have been trained. However, it has become necessary to make changes but these changes will be made in the best way possible. Nobody will be moved from one fortress to another without there being absolute necessity for such a move. I shall do everything possible to ensure that every FCA man receives annual training.
Is the Minister stating that he is unaware that a directive has been issued to Battalion Y stating that the annual training period would not be on this year?
I am unaware of that.
Next question, please.
The Minister has indicated that there is an accommodation problem for the training of what is a much depleted FCA force. There is no general mobilisation now. In so far as the availability of accommodation is concerned, would the Minister now indicate that there is not accommodation to facilitate the few recruits taken, plus the few FCA men enlisted since the 30th April last?
The Minister does not so indicate. The position is as the Minister stated. I am doing my best to ensure that every FCA man receives training. I may have to implement a few shifts around but every travel agent in the country had to do it too.