Vol. 494 No. 3
3 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Defence the number of times the implementation group arising from the Price Waterhouse report on the Navy and Air Corps has met; the timetable for the implementation of this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18207/98]
Having considered the report of Price Waterhouse Management Consultants on the reviews of the Air Corps and the Naval Service, the Government decided, inter alia, that the future development of the Air Corps and the Naval Service critically depends on the input of all of the relevant stakeholders. This includes the Minister for Finance and the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources in addition to the Department of the Taoiseach, given the nature of the State's air and sea requirements.
As Minister for Defence I am responsible for the development of the Air Corps and the Naval Service and I will ensure that the civil and military branches of my Department do what the Government requires of them in putting together the necessary plans to give effect to the Government's decision on the recommendations made by Price Waterhouse. This work is now proceeding. There are two broad dimensions to this work. First, there is the need to address the military capability requirements to be comprehended within the White Paper on Defence which were not dealt with in the consultants' report. Second, there is a range of effectiveness and efficiency recommendations for implementation in order to ensure that the taxpayer obtains the best air and sea services possible. It will, in the final analysis, be the task of the general officer commanding the Air Corps and the flag officer commanding the Naval Service to present plans for my consideration to address these matters.
I recently wrote to my colleagues in Government requesting participation by their Departments in the consultation group which I will chair since I am directly responsible to the House for these matters. The consultation group will include senior military officers including the general officer commanding the Air Corps and the flag officer commanding the Naval Service. The group will be tasked with making relevant input to the planning process leading to the finalisation of implementation plans to give effect to the Government's decision as outlined already. The group will meet as soon as possible.
The Minister must conclude as the two minutes allocated to him are exhausted.
Has the implementation group met? Why did the Minister appoint himself chairman of the independent group? I understand the chiefs of staff of the Army, Navy and the Air Corps requested that an independent person should be appointed to that position, which would clearly be in the best interests of driving the plan forward. The Price Waterhouse report states that, based on the consultants' experience in conducting the review and its predecessor in 1994, the best structure to oversee implementation of the plan would be through the appointment of an independent third party chairperson. It also states that given the difficulties in the Defence Forces over the years, external driving and professional support would be required to focus efforts to bring about the sort of change necessary in the three services. However, the Minister appointed himself chairman of the group. Was that due to pressure from the Department of Finance or from within his Department?
Why did the Minister not accept the strong recommendation from the Price Waterhouse consultants, who spent a number of years studying the Navy and the Air Corps, that the group should be driven from someone outside the Department if real change is to emerge? Did the Minister appoint himself chairman because decisions are being delayed until the publication of the White Paper is finalised?
In the final analysis, it is the Government's responsibility to take decisions in respect of various inputs, reports and analyses placed before it. Earlier, Deputy Fitzgerald accused me of making hasty decisions, not engaging in adequate consultations and proceeding too quickly. I have a reputation of moving ahead.
The Minister does not have such a reputation.
I will move quickly on all fronts in respect of this issue.
Has the implementation group met?
As the Deputy knows, there were 80 recruits to the Naval Service last year and a further 50 people were recruited this year. I recently announced 70 promotions involving watchkeeping officers and cadets.
Has the group met?
The measures I am in a position to facilitate are being put in place, proceeded with and advanced more quickly than heretofore. I intend to chair the group myself because I have direct responsibility in this area. I intend to follow a hands-on policy on this matter because it involves many considerations. I look forward to the representative associations, the flag officer of the Naval Service and the commanding officer of the Air Corps making an input into the plan. I will ensure that the plan becomes available as soon as possible.
Has the Minister called the group together for its first meeting? Why did he not appoint an independent chairperson?
I have already indicated that it is the business of Government to decide the most appropriate action to be taken. This is the decision made by the Government and I will adhere to it. I look forward to ensuring that, having listened to all sides, it is driven forward as quickly and as fairly as possible. With regard to the implementation group, as already stated, invitations have issued to the various Departments and stakeholders in this issue, including the military. The group will proceed with its work as soon as possible and it will meet within the next two weeks.
