Gerard Craughwell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the witnesses from the Defence Forces and RACO. As a former serving member, the presentations that we have received from both RACO and PDFORRA in recent times are utterly depressing. I cannot understand how we have allowed such a proud organisation to be so utterly devastated in recent years. One of my great concerns is the significant intake of young officers into the cadets. Are we creating a problem for the future when they all reach that glass ceiling beyond which only a few will have a military career?

Commandant King mentioned success with adjudications. Some time ago, I argued against the appointment of a HR person in the Department of Defence. Sadly, it was not listened to. What is it about RACO's members relationship with the Department that they find themselves going into adjudications? Why is there not some sort of a system whereby they can agree things without having to go to a third party to adjudicate on their behalf? I find it baffling that we have somebody on a high salary who should be able to resolve these issues but that that is not happening.

Commandant King mentioned that they have published an exit survey. I found it rather strange that there was a need to do that. Something clearly stimulated the RACO to carry out that survey. The outcome of the survey is horrifying. I was a non-commissioned officer, as the witnesseswill know. When I was in the Defence Forces, officers joined for careers and there was significant loyalty from the State to its serving personnel, both officers and NCOs, and serving soldiers offered significant loyalty in return. The outcome of the survey is that 30% of retired officers say that they would not recommend the Defence Forces. If they were being honest about it, 64% of them say that they would not recommend a career in the Defence Forces, although 34% would be willing to recommend it as a career if there were improvements. What has gone so terribly wrong in Commandant King's view that young officers are leaving and have such a dim view? Any time that I meet retired groups, the pride about service and the camaraderie that existed has never left them. There is sadness in the survey, with people who loved every day that they served and left because they could not have a normal family life. We hear stories about people having to commute from all over the country for what appears to be no real benefit to the organisation. What are Commandant King's views on that?

My colleague, Deputy Brady, mentioned the pay talks. There was palpable anger from the Defence Forces personnel who I know that there were essentially no negotiations with RACO or PDFORRA. They were handed a fait accompliand had no input whatsoever. How do they see a pay commission changing that? If a pay commission is stuck in, with whatever national percentages are agreed with ICTU, what function does Commandant King see it having for the Defence Forces?

Regarding specialised instructors, I was part of the trade union movement and a president of a union when financial emergency measures in the public interest, FEMPI, came in. Many allowances were removed during that process. We have been unwinding those FEMPI cuts over the years. Is Commandant King telling me that commissioned officers who are involved in specialist roles are still being impacted by FEMPI and that they do not have their specialised instructor's allowance back? If they do not, that is a serious matter. How have they been left out when everybody else is getting theirs back? I do not understand that.

Is there a problem with fixed promotions, especially for specialised personnel such as medical officers? There was a problem some time ago but I am not sure if that problem still exists. If there is a problem, will Commandant King give us some idea about it?

Regarding overseas service, Ireland regularly talks with pride about our service with the United Nations, etc. It is my experience that if a commandant from a barracks is sent overseas, that vacancy remains open while the commandant is overseas and some other young officer has to step in and take the commandant's place. In Commandant King's view, how many officers are operating above their pay grade? For example, a captain might be taking the responsibility of a commandant and running a company, or a commandant might be taking responsibility for a battalion. I am concerned about that and ask if he can address that.

Abatement probably does not impact RACO's members as much as it does other ranks. Does RACO have a view on the issue of abatement?

This is more of a statement than a question. The pop-up recruitment at the weekend brought recruitment to a new low. We found ourselves with a tent beside a ship, hoping that somebody would wander in off the street to join up. Is that how bad things have got?

I am delighted Commandant King mentioned the Air Corps and search and rescue. I would hope to see the Air Corps used in a more productive way. Rather than being the last port of call, it should be the first port of call for any air transfers. I will leave it at that. I can see that the Chair wants me to move on.