asked the Minister for Defence if he will outline his current attitude to the formation of a representative association within the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
28.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Defence Forces Representative Association.
20.
asked the Minister for Defence if he will outline the Government's attitude to the request from members of the Defence Forces for permission to form a negotiating body for the Army, Navy and Air Force; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
36.
asked the Minister for Defence if he has been notified of the establishment by a number of members of the Defence Forces of a Permanent Defence Forces Other Ranks Representative Association; and if it is intended to extend recognition to this association; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 20, 28 and 36 together.
Recently a number of non-commissioned officers and privates of the Permanent Defence Force submitted individual notifications indicating that they are contemplating the formation of a representative association and requested the views of the Minister for Defence. The matter is at present being examined.
Could the Minister of State confirm that there are approximately 1,000 members of the Defence Forces who have indicated their willingness and intention to form such an association?
I do not have the exact figure, but I understand that it is somewhere in the region of 800 or 900.
Would the Minister accept that that represents a very significant number of the members from the particular area? Am I correct in thinking that they were initially concentrated in the Dublin region?
With the Deputy's permission, I would prefer to deal with that question tomorrow in the course of the Estimates debate during which I shall be giving more information and speaking further on the subject.
We will await that.
I do not in any way wish to trespass on the Minister's time if he is indicating that there will be a substantial statement made to the House tomorrow on the Estimates debate with regard to this issue. I would certainly be happy to let the matter rest for the moment, but would be very slow to let this opportunity pass, when there are some moments of the time of the House available, and perhaps be disappointed tomorrow. Could the Minister give us some indication, even in a general sense? If so, I would be very happy to let the matter stand for the moment, but I must reserve my position.
I shall be dealing with the matter during the course of the Defence Estimates debate tomorrow but cannot at this stage say whether any substantial statement will be made or not. As already indicated, the matter has been considered by the Government and I certainly would not wish to pre-empt any decision taken by the Government on the matter.
Does the Minister accept the findings of the European Parliament's Delegation of Inquiry into the position in all the European member states conducted during the years 1982 to 1984, that there is no legal bar in Irish law or under our Constitution to the formation of such an association?
As indicated to the Deputy, I would ask for his co-operation in respect of this question. There is really no point in having a debate at this time on that issue. I have really nothing much to add to what I have already informed the House, except to say that I will be dealing with that matter in the course of the Estimate debate tomorrow. The matter is being considered by the Government and a decision or statement will be issued at a later stage.
Deputy Ferris rose.
I am sorry, I cannot call any other Deputies. Supplementary questions on priority questions are confined to the Deputy who tabled the question.
Question No. 28, which is in my name, having been taken with this priority question, do I not have an opportunity to ask a supplementary question relevant to my question?
No, not normally, Deputy. It is confined. The supplementary question decides the matter. A final question from Deputy McCartan.
Accepting what the Minister of State has indicated, I certainly shall withdraw from pursuing the matter at the moment. In the event that it will not, as indicated, be a substantial statement and will perhaps involve of necessity a decision of Cabinet in time, could I ask the Minister of State to agree that, in advance of any such decision being taken, if necessary he would meet with the representative group or representatives of those soldiers to discuss the matter further?
I would like to thank Deputy McCartan for accepting my proposal to defer the matter until a later date. I can assure him that the Government are deeply concerned that this matter should be resolved as quickly and as amicably as possible. We on this side of the House also share his concern, as previously indicated. The Government will be dealing with the matter in due course. At that point in time the House will be informed fully of what is proposed.
Could I say finally——
I am sorry, I have given Deputy McCartan every latitude on this question.
We have ten more minutes.
The Deputy is not asking me to create a precedent by devoting the full length of time to one question, surely.
It is a matter for the other parties to agree to questions. There is a dearth of them.
A further brief question, if the Deputy wishes.
Thank you. That is all.
That disposes of questions for today.