Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 2 Dec 1993

Vol. 436 No. 6

Written Answers. - Compensation for Irish UN Forces.

Eamon Gilmore

Ceist:

12 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Defence if his attention has been drawn to the concern expressed at the recent RACO conference at the fact that most officers serving overseas with the UN cannot claim compensation if injured; if he will introduce a no fault compensation scheme for illness or injury overseas as sought by RACO; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Donal Carey

Ceist:

13 Mr. Carey asked the Minister for Defence if he will consider introducing a Compensation Bill to cover members serving the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Seán Barrett

Ceist:

92 Mr. Barrett asked the Minister for Defence if he will consider introducing a Compensation Bill to cover members serving in the Defence Forces.

Minister for Defence (Mr. Andrews)

I propose to take Questions No. 12, 13 and 92 together.

Under the Army Pensions Acts, compensation by way of a disability pension or a gratuity may be granted to a former member of the Permanent Defence Force who, on retirement or discharge from the force, is found to be suffering from a disablement due to an injury attributable to military service at home or abroad. Such compensation is payable whether the injury was accidentally or maliciously inflicted. In addition to benefits under the Army Pensions Acts,ex-gratia lump sums compensation may, subject to certain conditions, be granted in respect of disablement due to injury attributable to service abroad with the UN.

The Gleeson Commission examined the subject of compensation for injuries sustained by members of the Defence Forces in the course of duty and recommended that a compensation scheme similar to that provided for in the Garda Compensation Acts should not be introduced for the Defence Forces. The Commission did, however, consider that there may be a case for extending to the Defence Forces the same limited occupational injuries cover as applies to members of the Garda Síochána and suggested that the provisions in relation to occupational injuries under the Army Pensions Acts should be examined in the context of the fundamental revision of the superannuation arrangements for the Defence Forces recommended by them.

The Commission recognised that such a revision would be a task of considerable technical complexity and would involve detailed consultations and discussions with both the military authorities and the representative associations. Thus, the revision is a long term project and will take some considerable time to complete. Preliminary examination of the matter has begun.

No claim has been received from either RACO or PDFORRA in regard to the compensation arrangements for members of the Defence Forces. Such a claim may be dealt with under the Conciliation and Arbitration Scheme for the Permanent Defence Force.