Vol. 655 No. 2
6 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for Defence the number of Permanent Defence Force members that are selected for the Chad mission; the breakdown between mandatory and voluntary selection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18883/08]
8 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Defence if the 270 men and women of the 97th infantry battalion who are due to go to Chad in two groups, one on 19 May and the other on 27 and 28 May 2008, will be departing on schedule; if preparations are going to plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20151/08]
11 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence if he is satisfied that the Irish deployment in Chad is proceeding according to plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20202/08]
16 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Defence the arrangements that have been made to enable the families of Irish troops serving in Chad to send them parcels, particularly in the Christmas period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20006/08]
23 Deputy Bernard Allen asked the Minister for Defence the arrangements that have been made for the supply of fresh food to the Irish troops in Chad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20004/08]
40 Deputy Seán Barrett asked the Minister for Defence the number and frequency of resupply flights from Ireland to Chad expected each month; the number of passenger seats that each flight will have; the use that it is intended these seats will be put to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20008/08]
44 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Defence if he is satisfied with the level of back-up support being provided for Irish troops in Chad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19784/08]
50 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Defence if, in view of the statement by the Minister of State at the Department of Defence in the House on 10 April 2008 that he would check the position regarding subsidised leave flights home for those personnel serving in the force headquarters in Chad, who will serve there for six months and who will be entitled to avail of leave, he will clarify the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20007/08]
232 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence if he is satisfied that adequate communications, supply and transport and other back-up facilities are available to Irish troops on the Chad mission and other similar missions at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20541/08]
235 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the position in regard to the deployment of Irish troops to Chad; the strength, existing and anticipated; the degree to which adequate military hardware has been made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20544/08]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 6, 8, 11, 16, 23, 40, 44, 50, 232 and 235 together.
Preparations for the deployment of the 97th Infantry Battalion to the UN mandated European Union military mission to Chad and the Central African Republic are being implemented in a series of carefully planned phases. To date preparations are on schedule. A total of 394 members of the Permanent Defence Force are serving with this mission at present. Included in this figure is the first chalk of 162 members of the 97th infantry battalion, who arrived in Chad on 19 May, the Army Ranger Wing and the advance party. The final deployment of a further 140 personnel, of whom eight will be deployed to the force headquarters in Abeche and 132 with the 97th infantry battalion, is scheduled to take place on 1 June. A number of the advance group, who were deployed to construct the camp and transport the equipment, will be repatriated in early June. Twenty-eight personnel were subject to mandatory selection for the mission to date. The total deployment with this mission, following the withdrawal of the advance party and the Army Ranger Wing, will amount to 425 personnel.
Irish personnel, operating from the port of Douala in Cameroon have organised the movement forward by road, rail and air of the Defence Forces equipment to the headquarters of the Irish battalion at Goz Beida in eastern Chad, a distance of approximately 2,700 km. Priority equipment and vehicles already have arrived in Goz Beida and the remaining equipment is en route at present.
Key enablers, in particular tactical and medevac helicopters and medical facilities, are in place thus allowing the mission to proceed. Having being satisfied that the capabilities required to support EUFOR's main force deployment had been established, Lieutenant General Nash, the EUFOR operation commander, declared the mission had achieved initial operational capability on 15 March 2008. This marked the start date for the 12-month duration of the operation as set out in UN Security Council Resolution 1778.
Camp construction in Goz Beida is progressing well. Tented structures and multi-functional vehicle service tents have been erected. Ablution units with shower facilities and toilet units also have been constructed and are operational. The water towers also have been erected. More tentage is expected to arrive in Goz Beida shortly, which will enable completion of camp construction. The fuel farm holds 280,000 litres at present.
The EUFOR mission has contracted Economat des Armées, EDA, which is a French company, for the provision of logistics support to all troop-contributing nations to the EUFOR mission. This will include the delivery of fresh rations, which will commence on 29 May 2008. Defence Forces logistics personnel will monitor the quality and level of this service to Irish personnel serving in Goz Beida.
The number of resupply flights that will be used in support of Irish troops on the EUFOR Chad mission will be determined by the immediate requirements of troops on the ground and, therefore, this will determine the frequency of flights. The load that is being carried, not the number of seats that are on the aircraft, will determine the type of aircraft that will be utilised. The primary function of the sustainment flights will be to deliver supplies and services to the battalion in theatre.
There are no plans at present to provide subsidised leave flights for any personnel on the mission. The Irish personnel serving at the force headquarters will serve a six-month tour of duty. They will be able to avail of leave, dependent on the force commander's instructions, during that tour of duty. However, all costs associated with ongoing leave will be borne by the individual.
Support flights are primarily to deliver supplies and services necessary for the day-to-day sustainment of our troops. However, the frequency of the support flights may allow for a limited parcel facility to be offered to the next of kin at Christmas 2008.
The theatre of operations for the Chad deployment poses serious logistical challenges due to the nature of the operation as well as the mission area and environment. Force protection will, as always, be a key consideration and the Defence Forces will have all the required military hardware to fulfil their role in the mission. The Defence Forces have deployed a full range of force protection assets, including 17 Mowag APCs and four close reconnaissance vehicles and indirect fire capabilities, that is, mortars. These will provide the necessary armoured protection, mobility, firepower and communications. The military authorities have indicated that while the level of risk is consistent with any operational deployment into a troubled African State, it is one which the Defence Forces have the capability to manage.
The Defence Forces have deployed a suite of secure, robust, state-of-the art tactical communications systems to the EUFOR mission. These systems have been deployed in appropriate quantities to support the effective conduct of operations. The Defence Forces communications and information services corps are providing satellite communications and high frequency radio, e-mail and telephone access to the Defence Forces' networked management and administration information systems. In addition, all personnel will be provided with the facilities to make telephone calls to family and friends and will have access to the Internet.
When the replies to questions are lumped together in this fashion, a difficulty arises in that it becomes difficult to ask specific questions in return. I refer to Question No. 6, in reply to which the Minister provided the specific breakdown between mandatory and voluntary selection. Why did mandatory selection take place? Was it because there was an insufficient number of volunteers? On what basis were those personnel who were selected mandatorily recruited? How is the list formed? What is the selection process? In what order are personnel likely to be selected? Do selected personnel have an opportunity to opt in or out? If they have specific family circumstances are they simply obliged to go or do circumstances exist in which they would be excused?
It is important that people should know the system and how it operates. In addition, the system should be seen to be just, fair and transparent. I seek the Minister's response in this regard first as I wish to ask a number of other questions, as does Deputy Wall.
Of the 394 personnel who are there at present, a total of 28 have been mandatorily selected. The military authorities have their own procedure for mandatory selection. While I am not immediately familiar with it, I can get details of it for the Deputy. I am told the system has been in place literally since the foundation of the State. However, I understand that someone who is mandatorily selected but who wishes to be excused can make representations to the appropriate personnel within the military high command.
I refer to the issue of supports to the mission. Parcels at Christmas could be very good for the morale of the forces serving there. While the Minister mentioned there may be provision in this regard, I suggest that provision should be made for the transport of parcels. I am sure it would not overly inconvenience the Defence Forces were such parcels to be placed at local barracks from where they easily could be transported.
At present, I understand that those who are serving on the mission will receive only ten minutes of free telephone call time per month. In view of the importance of this highly challenging mission, in which temperatures will rise to 50° or 55° Celsius, every support possible must be given to the Irish military personnel in Chad. Will the Minister consider increasing the allowance to at least 20 minutes of free telephone time, which would be fair.
The former Minister of State at the Department of Defence, Deputy Tom Kitt, took some of the Minister's questions during Question Time in the House. I believe he will be a loss to this House given his profile. However, in response to a question, he promised me that he would check the position in respect of subsidised leave flights. Perhaps one of the Minister's officials has provided the Minister with a note on subsidised leave flights for personnel serving there.
Deputy Deenihan has asked three questions. As for parcels, the primary purpose of the resupply flights will be to supply appropriate provisions and equipment and other necessities for the troops. The military authorities have advised me that they may be able to make some provision for parcels at Christmas. I will certainly communicate Deputy Deenihan's sentiments to the military. I share his view that we should try to accommodate parcels from next of kin as much as possible.
Regarding subsidised leave flights, only one element of the deployment to Chad will be there for a full six month period. In Liberia and on other missions troops were deployed for a six month rotation period. Six months is quite a long time so they get leave to come home in the middle of the period, after around three months. As Chad is so far away and inaccessible, instead of a six month deployment there will only be a four month deployment and there will not be leave during that period. However, staff at the headquarters in Paris, which is not far away, and at the force headquarters in Abeche will be deployed for six months. Happily, there is an international airport at N'Djamena and those who are deployed for six months will be able to fly home from there.
There is a myth around subsidised flights. There was no direct air access to Liberia so people who wished to go home mid-term were taken on charter flights by the army. They had to pay for this service, although I do not know what the rate was. Only a small number of people are at issue in this regard. I am not overly concerned about those deployed in Paris, but we may be able to provide assistance to those deployed at the headquarters in Abeche. I will examine this matter, although I understand this has been the standard procedure for Irish troops abroad for some time. For example, when we had troops in the Lebanon, Eritrea and Ethiopia this system applied.
Regarding Deputy Deenihan's reference to an allowance of ten minutes per month of telephone calls, I was not aware this was the case and nobody brought it to my attention. I will look into this matter because an allowance of ten minutes per month strikes me as somewhat skimpy, if that is the case. I do not doubt what the Deputy has said. I would have thought a person from the representative association would have brought this to my attention by now. We will examine the matter.
Some weeks ago I availed of an invitation from the Commander in Chief to visit the Curragh with my colleagues, the Minister of State, Seán Power and Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl, to examine the logistical programme that was being put in place for this mission. Only being there and seeing the vast amount of work that went into organising this allowed one to realise what it is all about. Everyone involved should be congratulated as it is a wonderful achievement for the Defence Forces to partake in this mission. It was unbelievable to see the amount of work that went into organising and supporting it. I concur with the sentiments of the Minister and Deputy Deenihan on the family factor, telephone calls, Christmas and so on and that every effort should be made to alleviate the concerns of family members. I am sure the Minister will take in the points we have made in this regard.
The Irish Times of Monday, 14 April wrote of the medical teams that travel overseas and it stated that the Department of Defence had to recruit foreign doctors for overseas service. It stated that the results of this were mixed. Were foreign doctors recruited because there were not enough Irish doctors to travel with the group? If so, what kind of investigations into their backgrounds were made? If one is to believe what was written, it did not make good reading to see that one of the doctors had the mission concluded and another did not have the necessary qualifications. One would not wish to see such things happen on this mission.
How were interpreters that travel with the group recruited? What mechanism does the Department use to ensure they are au fait with the areas, the languages of different tribes and so on? A recent newspaper report relates an encounter between the Army Rangers and a rebel group and it was the interaction of the interpreters between these sides that made all the difference. According to this report it was the first time the group engaged in an oral interaction and they did so because the Irish troops were so agreeable in this case. How many interpreters are being used by our troops in Chad and how are they employed? Do interpreters and troops interact to develop confidence? This is of major significance in overcoming challenging situations like that related in the newspaper report.
I note Deputy Wall's remarks on the huge amount of organisation and effort that has gone into putting this mission together and I thank him for them. I will convey his sentiments to the Chief of Staff.
Regarding family concerns, access to families, parcels and so on, I have already undertaken, in reply to a number of questions from Deputy Deenihan, to do what I can to provide assistance. This is a challenging mission and I appreciate the worries of families. I have spoken to many of them and wish to do everything I can to make things as easy as possible for them.
Deputy Wall raised a valid point on the qualifications of medical personnel recruited recently. As was said in reply to an earlier question, we found it increasingly difficult to recruit doctors here and we will come back to this matter in a later question. We even found it increasingly difficult to recruit doctors in mainland Europe so we have been forced to look further afield. As far as I know six of the 22 doctors we currently employ are foreign nationals, though I think one has taken Irish citizenship. The Deputy is correct that until recently there were difficulties recruiting doctors. An individual was found to have forged qualifications. In another case a female doctor from Nigeria, who was perfectly qualified and, I am told, an excellent doctor, had a number of criminal convictions in other countries for tax evasion and other offences. We did not know about this and since those incidents the checking procedure has been considerably tightened.
The Army has its own way of choosing interpreters and I will get the Deputy the relevant details. I am informed that the military is very happy with the interpreters it has and this was illustrated last Sunday in the meeting the Deputy referred to where the two interpreters interacted very well.
We are dealing with a number of questions. Regarding medical evacuations, I wish to emphasise again the importance of having a medevac helicopter in Goz Beida. The fact that Abeche is such a distance from the Irish sector will definitely make travelling times a problem. Will there be dedicated helicopters in Abeche for the Irish mission? If there was another demand on medevac helicopters in Abeche and a member of the Irish force was seriously injured in the Irish sector would that person have to wait for the arrival of a helicopter?
Another problem that was mentioned in the newspaper report to which I referred is that the atmospheric conditions create difficulties with helicopter travel from the point of view of fuelling arrangements. Apparently in certain conditions it takes more fuel to get from A to B because the helicopter's engines must work harder. It is important to clarify this in order to put people's fears to rest. I remind the Minister of his statement in the House that because this was a generously funded mission every support would be provided. The most important support, because of the conditions and because it would be impossible during the rainy season to travel overland by jeep or military ambulance, is helicopters, and the ready availability of helicopters is critical. I ask the Minister to respond to the question of providing a helicopter at the Irish headquarters at Goz Beida. Does he agree that it would be better if one were there?
I have already told Deputy Deenihan that the military is considering whether a helicopter should be placed permanently at Goz Beida. I will not try to second-guess the military as I am not a military expert, but I have been assured that if it is decided that it is necessary for the safety of Irish troops that a helicopter be located at Goz Beida, a helicopter will be located there.
With regard to Deputy Deenihan's specific question about Abeche, three helicopters are available there. They are not dedicated to any specific mission, but in that part of Chad there are French, Irish and Polish forces. Those three helicopters are generally available. I must point out, however, that there are three other helicopters available at N'Djamena, plus a fixed-wing aircraft. Negotiations between the EUFOR commanders and the Russians and Ukrainians are at an advanced stage with a view to providing further air back-up. Compared with other missions with which I am familiar, such as that in Liberia, the troops are much better served on this mission with regard to flying times and accessibility of medical facilities and air assets.
7 Deputy Liz McManus asked the Minister for Defence if he plans a media campaign to promote the handbook Preparing for Major Emergencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20162/08]
13 Deputy Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for Defence the demand for the handbook Preparing for Major Emergencies in the Polish, Russian and Chinese languages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20161/08]
28 Deputy Liz McManus asked the Minister for Defence the provision he has made for the ongoing review and updating of the handbook Preparing for Major Emergencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20163/08]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 7, 13 and 28 together.
On Monday 14 April 2008, the public information and awareness campaign on emergency planning was launched at the National Emergency Co-ordination Centre. The main focus of the campaign was the publication and country-wide distribution of a handbook entitled Preparing for Major Emergencies. To coincide with the launch of the campaign, a three-week advertising campaign was undertaken to let people know about the handbook and to encourage everyone to read it. Advertisements were placed in national and provincial newspapers, on radio and on advertisement billboards around the country.
It is planned to review the impact of the campaign later in the year. Obviously it will be important to ensure that the information is relevant and up to date. However, the handbook is specifically designed to contain generic information which will not change. More detailed information is available on the website www.emergencyplanning.ie.
It is important that the information contained in the handbook is equally available to the new Irish communities. For this reason the handbook was made available on the website in Polish, Russian and Chinese. During the launch period of the campaign there were more than 3,000 hits on the website but it is not possible to say how many were from those communities.
As chairman of the Government task force on emergency planning, I am conscious of the need to maintain public awareness of the excellent work that is being undertaken in this area by Government Departments and public authorities and I will continue to encourage further initiatives.
I recently attended a session of the Oireachtas education programme initiated by the Ceann Comhairle. With regard to the booklet Preparing for Major Emergencies, it may be possible for those running the programme in the individual schools to incorporate the booklet as part of the programme. I am not sure how many booklets were printed so perhaps the Minister will tell me. In most instances when we talk about schools we are talking about the next generation, but the next generation is only three or four years away. We are passing on vital information to these students. It has taken some time to bring the programme to its present stage. It is important to incorporate the emergency planning booklet into the programme. If this were done it would also mean that when a book was brought home by an individual student there would be discussion of it within the family, creating further interest in the issue which will last longer than the publications and advertisements associated with the initial launch.
Local radio is now a major contributor to rural and community life. Is the Minister satisfied that the launch campaign was sufficient in this regard? News items and so on are particularly noticeable. How many booklets were printed in Russian, Polish and Chinese? Was there much demand for them? The Minister said he could not differentiate between language speakers in calculating the number of hits on the website, but was there much demand for booklets in each of these languages?
There is a slight misunderstanding here. No booklets were printed in Russian, Polish or Chinese. The information was made available in these languages on the website.
I am sorry, I thought they were. That was my mistake.
The Deputy asked about local radio. We deliberately chose to advertise in the print media, both local and national newspapers, on local and national radio and on billboards throughout the country. Television advertising is extremely expensive, and we are trying to keep costs down. The total cost of the campaign was slightly more than €2 million, of which about 25% went on advertising. I am fairly confident the campaign was successful. We will do a limited amount of research later in the year to find out how successful the campaign actually was, but it certainly brought the issue to the public's attention.
One thing I deplored was the cynical attitude of certain columnists to the whole exercise. The reason we conducted the campaign was that most people did not know we had an emergency plan in place and the handful of people who knew there was an emergency plan did not know what it involved. We also heard many comments about how simple the information in the booklet was. We did research with the public before the booklet was produced and we found this was exactly what they wanted. They wanted reassurance that there was a plan in place rather than details on the specific aspects of any plan. Much more detailed information is available on the website and there are a number of contact telephone numbers that people can call to get more information. I deplore the cynical attitude I mentioned. The booklet was produced based on similar projects in such places as the UK and Australia. We did no more and no less than that — we spent a lot less than had been spent in other countries. A total of €2 million to print and distribute the booklet and advertise in the newspapers and on national radio was quite a small sum in the overall scheme of things.
I did not understand the Deputy's first question.
The Ceann Comhairle has initiated an Oireachtas education programme under which members of the Oireachtas staff visit transition year students in schools and introduce a package explaining the operation of the Houses. The official begins by staying with the class for 30 minutes, after which Members attend for an interactive questions and answers session. Could the booklet be included in this package? I do not know whether booklets are available, but it could create interest from an educational perspective. The children could interact with their parents concerning the booklet after going home.
I apologise to the Deputy for misunderstanding, but I accept his point. It is a useful suggestion that I will discuss with the Ceann Comhairle.
I thank the Minister.
Question No. 8 answered with Question No. 6.
9 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Defence the progress made in regard to the commitment given in the programme for Government to continue to support the work of the Civil Defence through the ongoing provision of new equipment and encourage increased membership of the Civil Defence through regular and targeted recruitment programmes. [20175/08]
The Civil Defence Board was established in 2003. The board produces a strategic plan every three years, the most recent of which, covering the period 2007-10, was launched by me last September. Copies of the plan have been laid before the House. The strategies identified by the board for the management and development of the Civil Defence place a high priority on the organisation's involvement in developing training and recruitment programmes and in the framework for major emergency management, which identifies a wider role for the Civil Defence in emergency response.
In 2007, the Civil Defence Board received a grant of almost €6.1 million from my Department and it is my intention that this level of funding be maintained. In each of the past three years, the board has expended on average almost €1 million on the purchase of equipment, enabling the board to equip volunteers to a high standard. In this regard, the board introduced new Civil Defence work wear in 2006, which has enhanced the image of the organisation and assisted the board in attracting and retaining new members.
Recently, considerable expenditure on training, first aid, rescue and communications equipment, in addition to boats and vehicles, has helped to transform the Civil Defence into a modern multifunctional emergency response organisation. The board has re-equipped all of its casualty volunteers with up-to-date training manuals, DVDs and instructional material, bringing the organisation into line with the statutory requirements laid down by the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council, PHECC. The board has also invested considerable resources in re-equipping Civil Defence technical rescue teams since 2006.
Marketing the capabilities of the Civil Defence is an important strategy in meeting the target of increasing membership by 10% by 2010 as identified in the board's strategic plan. While the recruitment of Civil Defence members is a local authority function, the Civil Defence Board both encourages and supports local authorities, through their Civil Defence officers, to undertake recruitment campaigns. The board supports these recruitment initiatives through the provision of additional publicity material and media training for Civil Defence officers and other supports that help to enhance the image of the Civil Defence. Targeted recruitment programmes also take place in the form of public awareness campaigns and new training classes at various locations around the country.
I compliment the Civil Defence on its work, some of which is difficult, to say the least. For example, its members must trawl rivers and so on when unfortunate family members have been lost in our rivers or lakes.
Regarding the replacement of equipment, one particular unit was unable to carry out its duties because its replacement boat was not licensed to participate in the exercise. Does this matter lie within the remit of the Civil Defence or is it a matter for the Defence Forces, which do good work in my area? Alternatively, must the Department of Transport investigate whether the boats are suitable before granting licences?
I thank Deputy Wall for his remarks regarding the Civil Defence and I will pass on his compliments. I am sorry to learn of the specific case and that people could not engage in a rescue mission because they did not have a licence to operate the boat. I will get an answer for the Deputy.
I would be happy to give the Minister the information.
If the Deputy gives me specific details, I will follow up on the matter.
I will and I accept the Minister's answer.
10 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Defence the number of medical staff within the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19786/08]
The number of medical staff within the Defence Forces is 31, comprising 22 medical officers-doctors, four dentists, one periodontist and four pharmacists. In addition, there are 24 members of the Army nursing service.
The key resource issue in the provision of medical services to the Defence Forces is the acknowledged shortage of doctors in the Medical Corps. While the establishment for medical officers is 47, only 22 are serving in the Defence Forces. The difficulties with the recruitment of medical officers have endured for some time despite the concerted efforts of my Department and the Defence Forces. The pay and allowances of doctors and dentists were recently increased substantially in consultation with the Minister for Finance. In addition, the Defence Forces have recently undertaken an intensive recruitment campaign. The results of both of these initiatives have been disappointing.
The challenges in the medical arena have been recognised for some time and a review of the provision of medical services, in association with the representative associations, is ongoing as part of the modernisation agenda for the Defence Forces. The scope of the review includes the level of service to be provided to members of the Defence Forces and the resources required for the delivery of that service.
In view of the complexity of the challenge to resolve the structural, resource and other issues facing the Medical Corps, I have decided to engage consultants to make recommendations on the best means of meeting the medical requirements of the Defence Forces. The consultancy will deal with all relevant issues affecting the sustainable provision of the relevant medical expertise and services to the Defence Forces. As part of this work, the consultants will be asked to review the career prospects being offered to young doctors, opportunities for career development and membership of specialist registers. They will also examine the range of services required by the Defence Forces at home and overseas and options on sustainable future provision.
The development of the capacity of the Medical Corps forms part of An Agreed Programme for Government. I am committed to providing a sustainable medical service to meet the needs of the Defence Forces both at home and abroad. Notwithstanding the current situation with the provision of medical services, I assure the House that Defence Forces personnel requiring medical treatment are getting the care they need.
While we have discussed this matter already, it is urgent that the Defence Forces have the proper medical backup. For example, the dentist who provides a service for military personnel in the Curragh is going to Chad. As such, no dentist will be available to the approximately 1,500 military personnel in the Curragh. I asked whether the Minister could provide an answer as to the cost of outsourcing services to private medical practitioners. The figure of €1.5 million mentioned some years ago has probably increased due to the reduction in the number of doctors available within the Defence Forces.
This matter is about more than the provision of services. It is important that medical personnel have a close knowledge of the Defence Forces so that the former know those with whom they are dealing, understand their complaints and are aware of the complexities. It is a psychological matter as much as a medical one. The importance of having as many Irish doctors as possible lies in psychology, in that they can communicate with military personnel better and have a better understanding of them. In saying this, I do not mean to cast aspersions on non-national personnel. Effective communication is a particularly important consideration when it comes to missions.
If we want to attract young doctors, male and female, into the Defence Forces, we must offer incentives. One such incentive would be the provision of crèche facilities, especially where there is a high concentration of medical personnel, such as in the Curragh. I understand the Minister has established a committee to examine this issue. Has that committee issued its recommendations? Can the Minister indicate whether a crèche facility will be provided in the Curragh?
Army personnel who require medical service will receive it. We do not have sufficient numbers of doctors in the Army, but we make up for this shortage by bringing them in from outside.
My point stands that we are not recruiting enough doctors into the Army.
Nobody will be left without adequate medical treatment. That notion is a fallacy.
Nevertheless, it would be more desirable to have a full complement of 47 doctors. We have tried hard to build up to that number but, unfortunately, we have been unsuccessful. We have increased the pay substantially and have undertaken several intensive recruitment campaigns. The result, however, has been disappointing. The difficulty, as I am informed by medical people, is that the career prospects for an Army doctor are limited. That is why I am bringing in consultants, who I expect to appoint within the next three weeks, to find ways of attracting personnel into the Army so that we are no longer dependent on the private sector to supplement our medical corps.
I have taken note of Deputy Deenihan's question on funding and will communicate that information to him.
At a meeting of the Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights and at a previous Question Time, I made a request that Lieutenant General Nash be asked to address the committee on the mission to Chad. I make that request again today. Given that he appeared on the "Late Late Show", I am sure he will be willing to attend a meeting of the committee to bring us up to date and answer any questions we may have. Will the Minister make that request on the committee's behalf?
If one takes it that an Army career is the chief ambition of cadets, is it not feasible that a number of them could be trained as doctors to work within the Defence Forces? This would be a good way of building up our own medical corps. The first objective for these people is to be part of Army life. Instead of recruiting external medical personnel who may leave when they get a better offer, it is better to train internal people who are committed to the Army as a way of life. Perhaps bursaries could be created to facilitate such a scheme.
As somebody who has been through the process of medical training, I may be able to offer the Minister some insight. It is correct that medical services are being provided to Defence Forces personnel as required. However, they are often provided by non-national doctors, some of whom have questionable qualifications. This was a cause for particular concern in Liberia, for example.
The main reason it is difficult to recruit young doctors into the Army is because they do not consider it a worthwhile experience. Even if massive annual salaries of €120,000 were offered, the problem would persist because young doctors do not consider a stint in the Army to be worth anything in terms of their career path. It does not require a consultant to point to the obvious solution, which is to ask the colleges to consider including a military rotation, whether for six months or a year, as part of a senior house officer or registrar's GP and surgical training schemes. Such an option would be attractive. People, including myself prior to entering politics, who are interested in doing an Army stint would be extremely interested in a four or five-year training scheme which incorporates a year as part of the Defence Forces. That is not currently an option. In terms of one's career progression, a year or two in the Army is effectively a waste of time. Will the Minister's consultants consider such an approach?
I will convey Deputy Deenihan's request to Lieutenant General Nash to attend a meeting of the Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights.
In regard to the points made by Deputies Wall and Varadkar, I agree it is a question of career progression. I thank the Deputies for their suggestions, which I will pass on. Deputy Varadkar is correct that it is not a question of money. Doctors do not want to go into the Army because they do not see it as advancing their career. If Deputy Varadkar wishes to submit his suggestion in writing or meet me to discuss it, he will be more than welcome. I am open to all suggestions.
