Nora Owen
Ceist:10 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Defence if he has had meetings with RACO and PDFORRA since his appointment as Minister for Defence.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Meetings with Representative Associations.
Joseph Doyle
Ceist:23 Mr. Doyle asked the Minister for Defence if regular contact exists between his Department and the two representative associations RACO and PDFORRA, and whether satisfactory dialogue is taking place.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 10 and 23 together.
Regular meetings are held between representatives — civil and military — of my Department and both the Representative Association of Commissioned Officers and the Permanent Defence Force Other Ranks Representative Association. A wide range of matters coming within the scope of representation of the associations is dealt with at these meetings. At a less formal level there is almost daily contact between both sides and excellent working relationships have been established with each association.
I have not had a meeting with the associations since my recent appointment as Minister for Defence.
Has the Minister been made aware of the symbolic difficulties which currently exist — and which existed up to the last time his predecessor in office spoke in this House at Question Time — with regard to the refusal of the general staff commanding to allow PDFORRA members, in particular, to meet at headquarters in civilian attire? In order to break that logjam, would he consider convening an early meeting with PDFORRA at general headquarters and inviting them to come, in the way it was always envisaged they could come to such meetings, in civilian rather than military attire?
I am not aware of the problem. I will have to study the problem.
I overlooked the fact that the two questions were in the names of Deputy Taylor-Quinn's colleagues.
When the Minister meets these organisations will he discuss with them, first, their lack of freedom to discuss all matters with him; second, women in the Army, as he must be aware there is grave dissatisfaction among women in relation to how they are being treated in the Army at present. The jobs being assigned to them are affecting their promotion prospects in the future and there is serious discontent in relation to that matter. Third, will the Minister discuss with them the health and safety regulations which apply in normal practice and whether they are properly applied in the Defence Forces.
I think there is a question about women in the Defence Forces later on the Order Paper. I am not aware there is a feeling that women are getting less than their fair due in the Army. My view is that equality of opportunity should obtain. I say that having studied the role of women in armies. A friend of mine was relieved in Buchenwald by Russian infantry women after the last war. Women in the partisans in Yugoslavia also had a very fine record in the anti-Nazi movement. There is no way we could philosophically think of them as less than equal to male soldiers. As far as I know that is the philosophy of the Army and certainly it is the philosophy of my Department. There are specific questions on this matter later which deal with that matter. It was through studying those that I was assured that that was the case. If there are individual cases of lack of equity — equality of treatment — I would like to know about them.
I welcome the Minister's comments in relation to his attitude on equality. I should like to inform the Minister that a macho culture exists in the Army which delineates people into certain categories and does not allow women into the combat category which, in turn, is affecting their promotion prospects. I assume, given the Minister's reply, he will take this issue on board as a priority.
Yes.
Will the Minister confirm that he will be calling a meeting at an early date with representatives of both associations to underscore their significance and importance as representative groups within the Defence Forces? In that context will he confirm that he fully endorses the philosophy behind the 1990 Act that soldiers are entitled to their representative associations and that they will be given the fullest status and accord by his Department during his term as Minister in the Department?
I so do assure the House.
Will the Minister meet them?
Yes, as soon as they ask to meet me.