Pat Rabbitte
Ceist:33 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Defence the progress, if any, which has been made on the simplification of Defence Forces regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Defence Forces Regulations.
Implementation of the recommendations of the Commission on Remuneration and Conditions of Service in the Defence Forces will involve a considerable amount of redrafting of Defence Forces regulations. The opportunity will be availed of to simplify the regulations where this is possible. The work will be supervised and monitored by a joint civil-military committee known as the Regulations Committee. This arrangement is in accordance with a recommendation in the matter made by the commission.
I am concerned about the Minister's use of the words, "where this is possible". No doubt he is aware that the regulations as they currently exist are perhaps the most complex and unmanageable collection of rules and regulations conceivable. Will he give some indication that he will direct the committee examining the matter to work towards deregulating, as far as possible, life within the Defence Forces so that there will be some form of normality there?
That is one of the aspects of what they are doing, eliminating the number of regulations and, as the Deputy says, making them more simple, straight-forward and comprehensible.