Vol. 457 No. 1
17 Mr. M. Smith asked the Minister for Defence the progress, if any, he has made on the restructuring of the Defence Forces and new recruitment; the consultative procedures he has put in place with representatives of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15123/95]
The roles of the Defence Forces were revised in 1993 and I have no proposals to alter these. In July of this year the Government announced its response to the report of the Efficiency Audit Group (EAG) on its review of the Defence Forces and published a document detailing the EAG report and setting out the Government's approach to the reorganisation. This report followed a lengthy analysis and consultative process on all aspects of the organisation of the Defence Forces. The report was prepared on the basis of the revised roles of the Defence Forces.
The Government indicated that it accepted the general thrust of the EAG report. It was also stated that an implementation group would be established to draw up detailed and fully costed proposals to implement a first phase plan covering the next three years. This plan would be based on the reorganisation of the Defence Forces on the basis of a three brigade structure with a manpower level of around 11,500. The Government also stated that the reduction in manpower would be achieved through a voluntary early retirement scheme which would be one element in the overall plan to be formulated by the implementation group.
The measures to be introduced are important and represent a positive development for the Defence Forces. The Government's objective is a properly structured, well equipped Defence Forces capable of meeting their roles in the most efficient and effective way. The Government also recognises that it is important that the Defence Forces provide a challenging and rewarding career for all personnel in the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps and that the management, organisation and operation of the Defence Forces are in accordance with best practice. The changes required will involve very significant reorganisation of existing structures over the next three years. This change will be undertaken at a realistic pace.
As regards consultation, the Government has stressed that a consultative approach would be adopted in relation to the reorganisation proposals. In this regard a special sub-committee of the Defence Forces Conciliation and Arbitration Scheme has been established and an on-going process of consultation has already begun with the Defence Forces Representative Associations in relation to the reorganisation. I also understand that the implementation group and the Review Civil-Military Co-ordination Group have met with the Defence Forces Representative Associations on a number of occasions.
As I have stated, the Government has established an implementation group to draw up a detailed plan for the reorganisation. The implementation group will be reporting later this year and no decisions have been taken or will be taken until this plan has been considered by the Government. The House will be kept fully informed of developments.
Is it not true that the consultative process has developed into a case of take it or leave it and that the Government is now implementing the EAG report, notwithstanding promises of full consultation and promises to inform the House?
That is not true. As I stated in my reply, no report has been presented to me or to the Government. The implementation group is doing its work. Ongoing negotiations are taking place with the various organisations, but nothing has been or will be decided until the Government so decides. I have not received any report from the implementation group, but when I do, I will consider it and present it to the Government for early implementation.
It is extraordinary that the Minister should disown what is happening in the Defence Forces. Is it not true that we were promised a retirement package and that we have not see it? Is it not true that we were promised a new recruitment drive which has now been abandoned, notwithstanding the pressures to improve the age profile? Senior personnel are being transferred from critical areas and this will lead to the closure of Army barracks in those areas. Morale was never at a lower pitch, yet the Minister is telling us he knows nothing about this. Is that the position?
I never told the Deputy that and I do not know who is giving him such information. There will be a voluntary early retirement scheme.
When?
As part of the package which the implementation group will present to us. There is no mystery about that and no one is being pushed around. The process is ongoing and I am not disowning anything. I asked a group of people to do a particular job and when the report is ready they will present it to me and I will present it to the Government. The Deputy should not make allegations which he cannot stand over. It is ridiculous to say there is no voluntary early retirement scheme.
I can stand over it.
I said in my reply that there will be a voluntary early retirement scheme. That is being worked out and will be discussed with the representative associations in due course. Recruitment will also take place as part of the reorganisation of the Defence Forces. We are dealing with new structures and an age profile problem. The voluntary early retirement scheme will be designed in such a way as to allow an intake over a three year period. This will help to solve the numbers problem and the age profile problem by bringing in young people as older people retire. This will be done as part of the reorganisation process which will begin after the implementation group has presented its proposals.
Wild statements upset people who have dedicated their lives to the Defence Forces, whether in the Army, the Naval Service, or the Air Corps, people with wives and families.
We listened to them all summer.
If it is said that certain things are happening, which are not, it has a great effect on these people. When the implementation group has completed its work, all the things promised will be presented and those who wish to take up the voluntary early retirement package may do so. There will be no compulsory redundancy and people will not be pushed around. It is important to put that on the record.
I resent the implication that I am using scare tactics. I have made no statement in this House which I cannot stand over.
The Deputy said there is no voluntary retirement package.
Some 500 recruits were promised this year. It was then reduced to 250, but we have heard nothing about it.
Who promised 500 recruits?
The Minister should check his predecessor's record for last April. Is the Minister standing over the statement that the transfer of senior personnel has not taken place from a number of Army barracks which I know are being targeted for closure?
That is another scare tactic. It was clear that in the first three years of the Government's plan barracks would not be closed. I do not understand how the Deputy can say that people are being transferred so that barracks can close.
Decisions have been made to that effect.
I ask the Deputy to listen to the Minister's reply.
Those are imaginary decisions. This shows the scare tactics which are being used. There has been no compulsory transfer of people so that barracks can be closed in any part of the country. No one is authorised to do such a thing and no decision has been taken by the Government to close one barracks in phase one of this programme. It is a matter for a future Government to decide if they should continue to phase two or phase three and to do what it wishes in three years' time. I hope I will be in Government then to deal with this question.
(Wexford): That is unlikely.
It is possible and I intend to make every effort to be there. A decision will be taken in three years time when the matter is before the new Government.
I regret I cannot call Deputy Power. As we are still taking Priority Questions I call Question No. 18 because if it is not called now it cannot be dealt with. That is the procedure of this House.
