Vol. 411 No. 8
1 Mrs. Taylor-Quinn asked the Minister for Defence the current position regarding the discussions being held between RACO and military headquarters in relation to promotions within the Army; and if he will make a statement on the disquiet and dissatisfaction being experienced at present by Army personnel as expressed in the "Today Tonight" programme of 23 October 1991.
the Minister for Defence if he will outline (1) the number of vacancies for commandant and lieutenant colonel which existed in Na Buan Óglaigh on 7 October 1991, (2) the method whereby these vacancies will be filled, (3) the criteria which will be adopted, (4) when the promotion boards will be established and whether a non-military member will be on the interview panel, (5) the number of acting commandants and lieutenant colonels currently serving in the Defence Forces, (6) whether they will be obliged to compete at these interviews and (7) when the promotion lists are expected to be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 26 together.
The Commission on Remuneration and Conditions of Service in the Defence Forces recommended that the system of promotion formerly in operation in the Permanent Defence Forces, which was based almost exclusively on seniority, should be changed to a system based on merit and that promotion boards should be set up to assess and interview candidates. Earlier this year vacancies for brigadier-general and for colonel were filled by means of promotion boards.
Discussions are now continuing between the military authorities and RACO with the objective of further implementing the Gleeson Commission's recommendations on promotions within officer ranks. The talks include such matters as the criteria to be adopted for promotion and the composition of interview boards. When the talks have been completed further promotion competitions will be held.
I am satisfied that the discussions are proceeding satisfactorily and provide the correct forum in which the views of officers generally can be made known to the military authorities through their elected representatives.
On 7 October 1991 there were 13 vacancies for lieutenant-colonels and no vacancy for commandant. At present the strength of lieutenant-colonels is 140 against an establishment of 428. There are 22 acting lieutenant-colonels and 118 acting commandants at the moment in the Permanent Defence Forces.
Would the Minister agree in relation to the promotions made earlier this year that the method adopted was not satisfactory and that the recommendation of the Gleeson Commission was literally plucked out of their report without any consideration being given to the criteria which should be adopted and the composition of the interview board? Does the Minister feel that an injustice was done on that occasion? Now that discussions are taking place in relation to further promotions does the Minister intend to have that matter reviewed?
I am satisfied that the promotions made earlier this year were broadly welcomed within the Defence Forces and that the highest of standards were maintained. I would like to take this opportunity to compliment and thank Mr. Wright and Mr. Boland who helped in arranging the promotions which were widely welcomed. I admit that there was some anxiety when the decision was taken to change over from the system which had been in existence for a long time to the new arrangement but I think the association also welcome and favour the new system. Apart from the details I have outlined it would be the view of the associations, personnel in the Department and in the Army that the new system is far superior and will in the long term make for better Defence Forces.
Is the Minister in a position to outline to the House the new criteria recommended by the Gleeson Commission? Can the Minister give us any indication of what is involved and what line the discussions are taking in relation to this matter? There is serious concern among commandants, lieutenant-colonels and those in line for promotion right down to the rank of first-lieutenant as to what the future holds for them in the Army. Can the Minister allay their anxiety by giving us some indication as to what the criteria are? The difficulty is that there has been a change over from one system to another without any indication being given of what the criteria are.
I do not accept what the Deputy has said. Discussions between RACO and the military authorities are continuing. There were meetings on 1, 9, 10 and 16 October and further meetings are planned. While discussions are taking place between the association and the military authorities it would be unwise of me to make any comment except to say that overall the system is a good one and can work satisfactorily to the benefit of the Defence Forces. I urge the military authorities and the association to reach a conclusion on what criteria should be put in place.
Question No. 2, please.
How soon?
The Deputy will agree that there is a need for brevity in dealing with these questions. I am anxious that the Deputy's own questions should be dealt with. She has four questions out of five here.
Is the Minister in a position to tell us when an agreement will be reached between RACO, the military authorities and his Department and when the criteria will be made public?
I hope this will happen fairly soon because there are some vacancies we need to fill. The Deputy mentioned a television programme but in fairness that was recorded prior to these discussions getting under way. Therefore, one is not being fair in quoting what was said in a candid television interview rather than the up-to-date position in the discussions taking place.
We raised this matter prior to the television interview; in the last Dáil.
I hope the Deputy does not believe everything she sees and hears on television.
One would not want to.
