Vol. 573 No. 3
128 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Defence if his attention has been drawn to the concern expressed by PDFORRA at its claim of the abuse of military law in some parts of the country and particularly the use of military disciplinary procedures in regard to disputes on such matters as subsistence claims; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25267/03]
In his address to their annual delegate conference on Wednesday, 8 October, the president of PDFORRA made reference to the subject matter of this question. However, his remarks made no allegation of abuse of military law or regulations.
Military disciplinary procedures are provided for in regulations made by the Minister for Defence. These regulations provide that an individual can be charged with a disciplinary offence and that this charge can be disposed of by the company commander. The individual has a right of appeal to higher authority or ultimately to have the issue referred to court martial. The system also provides for charges dealt with at local level by review by a legal officer.
These procedures have been fully applied in this instance and have resulted in the findings by the company commander being cancelled and the entry in the records of the individual being expunged. I am advised by the military authorities that the individual concerned is satisfied with the outcome. This clearly illustrates the checks and balances that are contained in the disciplinary procedures which ensure a fair outcome and guards against any possibility of abuse.
