Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 7 November 2012
1. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Defence if he shares the concern expressed in some quarters that the changes in the Defence Forces could threaten the security of the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48825/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn the context of the very serious economic crisis the country is experiencing, all elements of defence expenditure have been critically reviewed to deliver savings. In this context, initiatives such as the reorganisation of the Permanent Defence Force are an essential step in ensuring operational capabilities are maintained and all assigned roles continue to be fulfilled.
I am aware there has been some dissatisfaction expressed regarding the perceived impact of certain required changes on particular localities or individuals. However, it would be ironic if initiatives such as the re-organisation of the Permanent Defence Force or barrack closures were presented as being a threat to the security of the State when, in fact, these actions are required to ensure the Defence Forces can operate efficiently and effectively. A threat would only arise if an outmoded organisational structure or inefficient networks of barrack infrastructure had been allowed to remain.
The recent reorganisation proposals were framed in the context of a defence and security environment assessment, which was published earlier this year in the Department of Defence and Defence Forces Strategy Statement 2011-2014. I have been advised by the Chief of Staff that the implementation of the re-organisation will ensure the Permanent Defence Force can continue to meet all operational requirements at home and overseas.
As Minister for Defence I am committed to maintaining the capacity of the Defence Forces to carry out the full range of tasks assigned to them, whether by Government or by request from An Garda Síochána, including explosive ordnance disposal, provision of cash and prisoner escorts, provision of security at Portlaoise Prison and Government Buildings, the support provided by the Air Corps to the Garda air support unit, and Naval Service engagement in the joint task force on drug interdiction.
I thank the Minister for his response and I want to refrain from going back to debates on the issue of the organisation. The Minister has set out his stall quite clearly yet members of the Defence Forces remain concerned about the implications of the implementation of the reorganisation, not least in advance of the process of the White Paper being undertaken. I was particularly concerned by the recent statement made by the outgoing president of PDFORRA, Mr. William Webb, who is not given to making outrageous statements. He told the annual conference that if the weakening of the force is noticed by dissident groups, it will pose a real and serious threat to our nation. He said that if weakening of the Defence Forces is noted by dissident groups, the same groups caught monitoring Harcourt Street Garda station recently, it would be a real problem for our nation. He appealed to the Minister and the Government to stop the madness.
His comments are particularly pertinent in light of the appalling atrocity in the north of Ireland, with the murder of the prison officer, Mr. David Black. I commend the Minister on his presence at the funeral and I commend my party leader, Deputy Micheál Martin, on making the trip to the funeral to show the solidarity of people of this country with Mr. Black, the prison service and, most importantly, with his family. It highlights the need to be absolutely certain that the force is organised so as to be able continue to do what it has done to maintain the security of the State.
All Members agree the murder of Mr. David Black was an appalling and disgraceful atrocity. It was the sacrifice of the life of a good man for the achievement of no identifiable objective. It was done by people who have no moral compass and no insight into, or concern for, the lives of those they target or the impact on families of the horrendous loss suffered. It was a terrible event and we had hoped that we had put such events on the island behind us. I thank the Deputy for his comments because it was important that I joined the Minister for Justice in Northern Ireland, Mr. David Ford, to give a clear message of unanimity in our views and, by our stance, making it clear that the Governments, North and South, are united against the subversive elements that seek to bring us back to the bad old days of the past.
I entirely reject the suggestion made by the outgoing president of PDFORRA. I regret that he did not give greater thought to what he was saying. Unfortunately, at these events, some members of representative organisations that by and large engage constructively and behave responsibly sometimes feel the need to seek an unnecessary headline on something that is a gross misrepresentation of reality. When this Government came into office, based on the financial backdrop and the policies adopted by the previous Government, the Defence Forces were heading below 8,000 members. We stabilised the position and I succeeded in obtaining a decision from Government that the strength of the Defence Forces would be maintained at 9,500. Reorganisation was important because it was based on a strength of 11,500, which not had not been maintained at any stage during the lifetime of the previous Government. Reorganisation ensured that, in the context of the current strength of the Defence Forces, we can use them to maximum efficiency. Reorganisation can take place in a manner that ensures organisational effectiveness. Let no recalcitrant group of terrorists outside this House think that, in any way, the Defence Forces are less vigilant today than they were in the past. They have enhanced capacities because of the manner in which they are equipped and the intelligent way they go about their business. The decisions made and being implemented will substantially strengthen their capabilities and operational capacity.
I will give a quick example in the context of subversive groups and criminal gangs. Pursuant to their role in rendering aid to the civil power, the Defence Forces continue to address the problems of improvised and other ordnance disposal on a 24-hour, seven days a week basis. Wearing my hats as the Minister for Justice and Equality and the Minister for Defence, there is superb co-operation between the Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces when these devices are discovered. With great bravery and skill, the members of the Defence Forces neutralise them.
I agree with the Minister on two points, about co-operation between the Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces and the outstanding commitment of the members of the Defence Forces to the security and well-being of the State. However, morale is at an all-time low. Can the Minister indicate the level of outflow from the Permanent Defence Force as a result of the reorganisation? My experience is of many young talented members deciding to opt out of the Defence Forces because of their forced transfer to various parts of the country.
I entirely reject the suggestion that morale is at an all-time low. We have extraordinarily efficient and well-trained Defence Forces. A substantial number of them are undertaking UN duty in southern Lebanon and a member of the Defence Forces is in charge of a UN mission based in Uganda to provide assistance in Somalia. Members of the Defence Forces with particular skill and expertise are in Afghanistan on international UN related duties, and other members of the Defence Forces are based throughout the world. Highly trained members of the Defence Forces have the capacity to come to the aid of the civil power when required and co-ordinate in assisting the Garda Síochána in its important duties relating to the security of the State.
The context of reorganisation and the arrangements being made in that respect are the subject of another question which I will answer shortly, and perhaps I will deal with the issue raised by the Deputy in the context of answering that question.
