asked the Minister for Defence if it is proposed to recruit Army personnel in 1988; if so, the number; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
13.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Army Recruitment.
8.
asked the Minister for Defence the policies his Government have in relation to manpower levels in the Armed Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
(Limerick West): I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 and 13 together. A total of 293 recruits for general service were enlisted during January 1988. Recruitment to the Permanent Defence Force is reviewed constantly in the light of current strengths and commitments. It is not possible at this stage to say when the next intake of recruits for general service will take place.
Is the embargo on the recruitment of women to the Army continuing, based on the rather sexist ground that women are not suitable for combat duties?
The Deputy is injecting new matter into the question.
(Limerick West): There is no embargo on the recruitment of women to the Army. Decisions have to be taken from time to time with regard to the full utilisation of the scarce resources available to my Department and to all other Departments. The matter is reviewed from time to time and necessary decisions are taken.
My understanding is that the Minister had informed the House that recruitment will be for posts to be filled by people available for combat duty. My question is whether a specific definition exists in the Department that women are not suitable for combat duty and therefore cannot be recruited to the Army at present. Is that a fact?
(Limerick West): The matter is considered from time to time, keeping in mind the needs of the Army from one situation to another.
Will the Minister confirm that manning levels in the Defence Forces are well below the establishment figure and that the number of soldiers and officers is totally inadequate to enable them to fulfil the range of duties demanded of them? Will the Minister agree that this is having a detrimental effect on morale and leading to the resignations of personnel because of the extended duties they are being called upon to fulfil. There is an urgent need to increase personnel, including women. Is the Minister aware of the low level of morale in the Army? Surely as Minister it is his duty to attend to these matters and bring them to Cabinet.
(Limerick West): The Deputy knows that the establishment figure was never up to full strength. His statements about morale are not correct. There is no lowering of morale in the Army.
I do not accept that.
(Limerick West): I am fully conscious of the situation in the Army. I have made it my business to visit these men at their posts from time to time and I will continue to do that. The present strength of the Army is adequate to meet our needs and the strength of the Army is kept under review. The taking in of recruits will be considered in that context.
While the Minister says that there is not an embargo on the recruitment of women, would he not agree that there is a subtle non-recruitment-of-women policy, particularly into apprenticeship courses in the Army and that over the past number of years the number of women recruited there is nil and that there is definitely discrimation against women? Will the Minister agree that while it may not appear as public policy there is definitely some sort of agreement in the force that women should not be recruited?
(Limerick West): There is no agreement in the force that women should not be recruited. I have to consider the best way to utilise the resources under my control. In the context of that and in view of what the Deputy said, I am keeping the matter under constant review. I assure the Deputy that women are not discriminated against by me or by the Army.
(Interruptions.)
Of the 293 recruits taken in January 1988 how many were women?
(Limerick West): None.
Will the Minister tell the House exactly how many women were recruited to the apprenticeship courses in the Army over the past three years?
That is a separate question.
(Limerick West): I do not have that information with me but I will gladly let the Deputy have it.
Why is there now a policy of non-promotion for officers in the Defence Forces?
(Limerick West): That is a separate question.
Question No. 9, please.
The question arose relative to the question about morale. The Minister says that morale is high but how can morale be high when there are no promotions of officers?
The Deputy is raising a separate matter.
(Limerick West): If the Deputy puts down a question I will gladly answer it. There is no lack of morale either among the officers or the men in the Army.
The Minister is completely out of touch.
(Limerick West): The Minister is fully in touch, it is the Deputy who is out of touch.
Question No. 9 has been called.