asked the Minister for Defence if he will make a statement on the working conditions of the Army personnel attached to the Oireachtas; if he has satisfied himself with these conditions; and the steps, if any, he proposes to take to bring about improvements.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Working Conditions of Army Personnel.
15.
(Limerick West): The working conditions of the military police company located in Government Buildings are satisfactory. The conditions of the fire picquet unit attached to the company are being examined at present with a view to improving them and I will advise the Deputy of the outcome in due course.
Can the Minister tell us how many military personnel remain after the adjournment of the Dáil each evening?
(Limerick West): I do not have that information but since the matter is of a security nature I could not disclose the information to the Deputy.
What facilities are available to the military personnel while off duty? Have they a television room or radio facilities?
You could ask the same question about the Members of the House.
(Limerick West): The working conditions and catering facilities in respect of the personnel concerned are of the highest standard and, I understand, satisfactory. As I said, the conditions of the fire picquet unit attached to the one garrison military police company which is located in the basement of Government Buildings are considered unsuitable by the military authorities and alternative accommodation for the unit is being examined at present.
Not before its time.
Has provision been made in the Estimates for the upgrading of this basement accommodation?
(Limerick West)): Yes. That matter can be attended to under the present budgetary requirements of the Department.
Any sign of Guy Fawkes?
(Limerick West): The Deputy can be assured that he is quite safe.
Do the men receive special pay for Sundays and for overtime duty?
(Limerick West): That seems to be a separate question and if the Deputy puts down a specific question I will answer it.
Deputies, I would now be proceeding——
A Cheann Comhairle, I would like to inquire as to why my special notice question as to the danger of the closure of——
Deputy Deasy, you may find a more opportune time to raise that matter. It is not appropriate now.
There is a special meeting of the South Eastern Health Board on Thursday.
You have received a communication from my office. I have no more to say on the matter. If you want any elaboration my office will be glad to help you.
I wonder if you are aware of the urgency of the matter. There is a meeting on Thursday at which it may be decided to close——
The Deputy could have put down the question in the ordinary way as have many Members of this House.
That would be too late. This is the area of Waterford, a Cheann Comhairle which elected you during the sixties and seventies.
I can assure the Deputy there is nothing personal in it. Private Notice Questions have been submitted to me from a number of Deputies.
May I raise the matter on the Adjournment?
I will communicate with Deputy Deasy. I have received three Private Notice Questions, from Deputies George Birmingham, Anne Colley and Michael Noonan, to the Minister for Labour concerning the industrial dispute within the ESB. These questions would normally come to be dealt with at 3.45 p.m. and I must therefore request the House to be kind enough to suspend the sitting until that time. Is that agreed? Agreed.
Sitting suspended at 3.10 p.m. and resumed at 3.45 p.m.