asked the Minister for Defence whether he has engaged in a review of policy for his Department and for the Army; and whether he has altered existing policies or undertaken any initiatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Departmental Policy Review.
8.
(Limerick West): There is an ongoing review of policy in relation to both my Department and the Defence Forces. In consultation with the Department including the heads of the principal military branches, I have been looking at various policy issues and, when the 1987 Estimate for Defence is presented to the Dáil for consideration, there will be an opportunity to raise specific matters.
Would the Minister not agree that, in view of the very severe budgetary constraints on the Army in the period 1984 to 1986, and the even more severe constraints this year, there is a growing concern in the Army that in terms of supplies, transport equipping, Border duties — which are currently under great stress — there is an urgent need to provide greater resources particularly in 1988? Will the Minister ensure that the review will not be scuppered by the Department of Finance in 1987?
(Limerick West): I want to give the Deputy a few examples of what I am looking at at the moment. The decentralisation of part of my Department is ongoing. I have proposals for computerisation in the Department, military training and educational programmes and overseas military service. Since I assumed office as Minister for Defence I have taken it upon myself to see at first hand the various military establishments. This review is ongoing and will continue over the next couple of months.
Would the Minister not agree that the pressures on the Army are so severe that successive Governments had to consider bringing home troops from the Lebanon, which no Government wished to do, because of the very substantial budgetary reductions for the Army arising from, for example, a growing Border security problem over the past month?
(Limerick West): I said the review is ongoing and as soon as a decision has been reached, it will be announced in conjunction with the Estimate.
Would the Minister tell us where he proposes to get the money to make these changes? As regards decentralisation, where does he propose to get the money to build new offices and shift people from one part of the country to another? Will he tell the House where he will get the money to make the other changes he mentioned which involve extra expenditure, in view of the reduction in the level of money available to the Department this year?
(Limerick West): I did not say extra expenditure would be involved. I said I am having a review undertaken of the existing resources in the Department to see how best they can be utilised.
Does that mean the Minister intends to proceed with the building of the new headquarters in Dublin?
These are specific questions and should be tabled separately.
In view of the Minister's reply to Question No. 6, are we to take it that under the heading of altering existing policies the Minister has abandoned the procedure for courts martial and policing of members of the armed forces in their activities, extra Army or otherwise?
(Limerick West): I said no such thing.
The Minister indicated that he had no responsibility whatever relating to suggestions that a member of the armed forces may have been involved in unauthorised business with certain personnel and that he had no responsibility in this area. I am asking him if that is so and if he has, in effect, abandoned any responsibility in this area, or is this part of his review of his position as Minister for Defence?
(Limerick West): I have already answered that question.
The Minister said he had no responsibility in this area. I suggest that he is not making any effort to answer the questions put to him. How can he suggest that as Minister for Defence he has no responsibilities for the activities of members of the armed forces? I wonder if that is part of the ongoing review of his policy as suggested in Question No. 8?
Because of the overtime which it is expected the personnel of the armed forces doing Border duty will work and the strain being placed on them, would the Minister care to make a statement on the role of the FCA within the armed forces?
(Limerick West): I believe that is a separate matter and the Deputy should put down a question.