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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 21 Jun 1984

Vol. 352 No. 1

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - FCA Training.

19.

asked the Minister for Defence if he agrees that one week's annual training for the FCA is totally inadequate; if he will provide for two weeks this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

It has been decided that FCA annual training for 1984 will be for the same period as in 1983, that is, a reduction of seven days on the normal training period. This restriction continues to be necessary as part of the Government's programme for achieving reductions in the level of public expenditure. I do not accept in the circumstances that a period of one week's annual training is totally inadequate and I can assure the Deputy that I am anxious to see the normal annual training restored as soon as circumstances so allow.

I might add that the Government have again decided that, notwithstanding the reduced period of annual training, the gratuity payable to qualified members who complete the maximum permissible period of training in 1984 will be at the full rates and not at the reduced rates which would normally apply in respect of attendance for training for the shorter period.

In view of the statement the Minister made on 4 March in Limerick at the commissioning ceremony, he must be aware of the contribution FCA personnel make for nothing to the Defence Forces and the support they give to the PDF. As someone with personal experience in the matter, I suggest to the Minister that one week's annual training is insufficient to bring FCA personnel to any correct standard of training. Will the Minister tell the House when this one week's training will be abolished? It is the only time in the history of the State that this has happened in two successive years.

To my knowledge never before in the history of the State have we been in such economic difficulties. It is those difficulties which we inherited as a result of an accumulation of errors over a number of years that have forced on us this decision to cut back in a number of areas. One of the areas where there have been cutbacks is the annual training for members of the FCA and Slua Muirí. I also have experience of the force having had the privilege, like Deputy Bell, of serving in it. I can well understand the feeling of members that one week's annual training is not sufficient to bring them to the level of efficiency they would desire. Nevertheless, one week's annual training is valuable. I am anxious that the two weeks be restored as soon as possible but at this stage I cannot put a definite time on when that will happen. I should like to emphasise that the fact that the annual training has been reduced does not show any lack of appreciation of the voluntary efforts and the contributions which members of the FCA make by turning up for their field days and weekly training during the year. This is very important and I can assure the Deputy it is much appreciated by the Government and by the PDF.

As a former serving member himself, I am sure the Minister will appreciate that in view of the security situation, particularly in Border areas, weapons training has to be done fairly exclusively during annual training. As somebody with personal experience of the matter, will the Minister agree that it is not possible to do a proper weapons training programme in one week when one considers the time it takes for men to settle in and to get the normal routine details into operation during the week? Further, will he agree that by the time Thursday arrives it is time for the troops to pack their bags and get ready to go home?

It would all depend on the level of training achieved by the personnel concerned in the year preceding their annual camp, on how efficient the annual camp was organised and how quickly they settled in. If the level of efficiency in those areas was high quite a valuable amount of weapons training could be done during a single week. Obviously more could be done in two weeks but, as I said, we are constrained by circumstances to make this temporary reduction in annual training. The position is being monitored and we will restore it as soon as possible.

A final question to the Minister——

We are now getting into argument and we are dealing with policy and other matters.

I do not think I am getting the answers I am looking for.

That is too bad.

It may be that I am asking the question in the wrong way.

I am not in a position to give the Deputy the answer he would like to receive.

I asked the Minister if he was satisfied that one week's training is sufficient to train FCA personnel in a number of weapons at annual camp.

I cannot answer that question because it depends on the level of efficiency reached by the personnel concerned during the preceding year, on the weapons involved and how efficiently the camp is organised. There are a number of variable factors which would influence the answer. I could not give a definitive answer. Deputy Bell obviously thinks it is not sufficient and we have to disagree on the matter.

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