Vol. 470 No. 7
16 Mr. Power asked the Minister for Defence if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties being experienced by members of the Defence Forces who are on BSE Border patrol; and his views on whether the net hourly payment of 30 pence is an adequate reward for their efforts. [19991/96]
Under the Defence (Amendment) Act, 1990, the payment of allowances comes within the scope of representation of the Permanent Defence Force Other Ranks Representative Association and the Representative Association for Commissioned Officers and may be processed through the conciliation and arbitration scheme for the Permanent Defence Force which was established in agreement with the associations. The question of the payment of an allowance to personnel involved with the recent BSE-related operations in Border areas has been raised under the terms of the conciliation and arbitration scheme. Under the terms of the scheme, as agreed with the associations, discussions on claims being processed are confidential. I hope the Deputy will appreciate, therefore, that as the matter is under active consideration at present it would not be appropriate for me to comment further at this time.
I do not find the Minister's answer helpful. Our time is divided between Defence and the Marine. In the Minister's last answer to Deputy Smith he went to great rounds to say nothing, whereas this time he has dug his heels in and will give no information. Soldiers are doing an important job which is vital to the economy. However, it is seen by members of the Defence Forces as a cheap way of protecting the beef industry. We are aware that industry is going through a difficult period and protection is vital, but 30p an hour is an absolute disgrace.
That is not accurate.
On the figures that are provided, it is accurate. I have stated the facts as I know them. The Minister has not led me to believe that I am in any way wrong. If Question Time is to have any meaning, the Minister should answer the questions that are asked of him.
I will answer any question. However, I would remind the Deputy that it was his party that, when in Government, negotiated these agreements with the representative associations and under those agreements, if a case is raised under the conciliation and arbitration scheme, discussions on the claims are deemed to be confidential. I cannot breach that agreement, reached in 1990 by a Fianna Fáil Minister. Please do not try to accuse me of not wanting to answer questions.
In relation to allowances, a military service allowance is payable to all members of the Permanent Defence Force up to and including the rank of colonel to compensate personnel for the special disadvantages associated with military life. The rates of remuneration of the Permanent Defence Force, including military service allowance and Border duty allowances, were determined by the Gleeson Commission in July 1990. The commission expressly stated that military duties were clearly in a distinctive category and it would not be appropriate to fix military pay on the basis of a direct comparison with the pay of the Garda. As a result of the Gleeson Commission which reported in 1990 the military service allowance which is payable to everybody up to the rank of colonel is £2,070 per annum in the case of officers and £39.10 per week or £2,040 per annum in the case of non commissioned officers and privates with the exception of privates with less than three years service who receive £14.09 per week.
All personnel posted to Border units are in receipt of a Border duty allowance of £49.57 per week in the case of officers and £43.81 in the case of non commissioned officers and privates. The allowance is paid irrespective of the hours worked on a continuous basis including during periods of annual leave, sick leave etc. The Border duty allowance is payable to everyone posted to the Border area, in addition to their military service allowance.
A claim has been lodged and discussions are taking place under the terms of the conciliation and arbitration scheme. I sincerely hope we can reach some agreement. Because of what the Gleeson Commission said in 1990 it is not right to compare military pay with that of the Garda Síochána although I know where the Deputy is coming from in terms of recent publicity.
Full meals are provided in the barracks for those performing Border duty before commencement of duty and on completion of duty. While personnel are on patrol each individual receives a flask of hot tea or coffee, sandwiches, fruit, yoghurt etc. There was a suggestion that people were left for hours or days without proper food. I checked this out. I would hate to think we had reached a point in this State where people who served on Border duties were left without adequate food for long periods. I assure the House there has been a great deal of expenditure on mobile canteen facilities and also that hot meals are served before and after duty. If there are examples of people not being served proper food I would be delighted to hear it because I would not tolerate it for one minute.
