Vol. 501 No. 2
58 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Defence if a decision has been taken regarding the number of Army bands; if so, when this decision was taken; if it has been communicated to the Defence Forces and agreement reached; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5205/99]
Recently I approved a proposal from the military authorities that the military band at the Curragh should be amalgamated with the band of the Eastern Brigade, the Army No. 1 Band. The amalgamation of these two bands does not involve any reduction in the overall numbers of musicians within the School of Music as already provided for within the Defence Forces review implementation plan approved by the previous Government.
Is the Minister saying he got agreement to reduce the Army bands to three?
I responded to a military proposal which was made some time ago.
Did the proposal come from the military authorities?
Yes.
Is the Minister considering separate recruitment to ensure the viability of the Army bands in the future?
I have indicated that I responded to a military proposal. In my discussions with the School of Music and with individual members of the bands there was an air of uncertainty because the Price Waterhouse review and the implementation plan reduced the numbers to 136 which most of the people in that business thought was not sufficient to maintain four bands. From my point of view as well as the advice I received, it was a practical way to proceed.
Last year we began the process of trying to ensure that some of the recruits who had an interest in this area could be drafted across to do their training and to fill some of the gaps which had emerged. We will continue to do that as much as we can in the course of this amalgamation process and also to increase the numbers both in the band of the Southern Command and the band of the Western Command.
Is the Minister saying the Curragh will be the centre of education for the School of Music and that the band of the Western Command and the band of the Southern Command will be trained in the Curragh?
It is more likely to be the other way around. People who will form part of the band of the Southern Command will be in Cork and those who will form part of the band of the Western Command will be in Athlone or Galway.
Following the appearance of the Secretary General of the Department at the last meeting of the Committee of Public Accounts, there seems to be confusion about the Army bands playing at certain locations outside Army venues because facilities were not suitable due to sound difficulties. Perhaps the Minister could clarify if certain procedures have been put in place to ensure that the Army bands play at suitable locations.
The Army bands are hugely popular. The last statistic I saw showed that 708 performances were given throughout the country. People, including the Deputy, constantly contact me to know if the Army band can play in a certain place. I do not know what the facilities are like in different places but we must be careful to ensure that the conditions in the places to which the Army band is invited are suitable. We like to co-operate with the public as much as possible. We look forward to going to schools and other such places where this positive side of what we do can be strongly presented to the public.
Had the decision to reduce the number of bands from four to three anything to do with the number of members of those bands who had submitted claims for compensation? If the Minister's answer is no, is it not regrettable that his decision was made at the time this information emerged?
It had nothing to do with it. I make decisions every day and I am not always familiar with what is happening in the courts, nor do I wait to see what is in the newspapers. I made the decision the day after I got the recommendation from the military authorities. That is the way I like to do business. I do not wait to see what has happened in the courts or what is in the newspapers before I do my normal daily work.
It was coincidental the decision was made to reduce the number of Army bands the day after media interest in the bands. It looked like the Minister made the decision on the back of the publicity surrounding the deafness compensation claims.
I do not do my business on the basis of what I read in the newspapers or on what happens in the courts.
The Minister could have fooled me.
Are cost factors taken into consideration when the Army band decides to accept or reject invitations?
I am not able to give the Deputy a definite answer as it varies. We would not like to always respond to demands from areas which can afford an Army band presentation. We would like to look at places of disadvantage and other areas where we expect no money to cover the costs. Invitations are not accepted on the basis of financial costs, although we must have regard for them because it costs a significant amount to keep Army bands.
