Kathleen Lynch
Ceist:7 Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for Defence the number of officers from the Southern Command selected for overseas service in 1994; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3977/95]
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Overseas Service.
Forty-four officers from the Southern Command served overseas in various missions during 1994, of whom 36 were actually selected for overseas service that year.
To allay any fears Deputy Lynch may have that somehow the proportionality was unfavourable to the southern part of the country, the relative percentages are as follows: number actually selected in 1994, 20 per cent from the Southern Command, 17 per cent from the Eastern Command, 17 per cent from the Western Command and 19 per cent from the Curragh Command.
As usual, the Minister has been more than helpful. I avail of this opportunity to congratulate him on his appointment and wish him well in the journey ahead.
I tabled this question because there had been allegations at the annual meeting of the officers' association in November when it appeared there was a golden circle in existence in Army Headquarters in Dublin from which officers were more likely to be selected for service abroad than from the provinces.I have an affiliation with one of the provinces, so I am glad to observe from the figures he has given that is not the case. I hope that will continue.
I observed that comment also and was as interested in the answer as Deputy Lynch. There would not appear to me to be any evidence of that selectivity.
Given the imbalance in the selection process, with 20 per cent emanating from the Minister's region, would he correct that imbalance and allow more officers from the Eastern Command undertake overseas service?
There are more officers in the Southern Command.
I would be in favour of a general proportionality between the various regions but I presume it is not possible to effect it on any precise basis, it being dependent on the number of officers and so on. Of course, personnel from the south were always anxious to engage in service overseas and take the risk others might not. Nonetheless I do agree with the import of the Deputy's question, that there should be approximate parity between the various divisions.