Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Workers and Unemployed Action Group)

I will share time with Deputies Mattie McGrath and Maureen O'Sullivan. I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Bill and on the Defence Forces generally. I have listened to the Minister and previous speakers and welcome the debate on this important issue.

The Bill is driven by a number of elements. There have been international developments in this area, particularly in Australia and the United Kingdom, in recent years. There are also existing difficulties within the Defence Forces to which the Minister has referred. He described these in terms of the "paralysis in the current situation". The Minister also mentioned another element, namely the background to the White Paper on defence in 2000 and the consequence of that in that there is now a small pool of officers available for this type of duty. I often wonder whether a member of the Defence Forces should be entitled to have access to the normal legal procedures to which each of us is entitled and would like to see serious consideration given to this.

I hope there was consultation on this Bill with organisations such as the Permanent Defence Forces Other Ranks Representative Association, PDFORRA, RACO and the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces. Was there such consultation and discussion with these and other relevant organisations prior to the drafting of the Bill? I believe the trade union movement and trade union representation should be available to members of the Defence Forces. We are all entitled to such representation as a right and the members of the Defence Forces should not be discriminated against in that regard. Some international defence forces have that entitlement. Trade union representation should be available to members of the Defence Forces.

Reference has been made to the 2000 White Paper on defence by a number of speakers. The background to that White Paper was the rationalisation and downsizing of the Defence Forces. It is now clear that significant reductions in numbers and facilities have taken place over the past number of years. Expenditure on defence as a percentage of overall gross Government expenditure has decreased from 3.31% in 2000 to 1.59% in 2010. Over the decade, expenditure on defence as a percentage of the gross national product decreased from 0.85% to 0.7%, while expenditure as a percentage of gross domestic product has decreased from 0.72% to 0.58%. There has also been a decline of €41 million in the 2010 budget and this will be followed by a reduction of another €109 million in targeted savings between now and 2014.

There has been a significant decrease in the numbers in the Defence Forces, with a drop from over 15,000 in 1991 to 9,595 as of 30 June 2011. I believe this should be the end of the downsizing of the Defence Forces. We in Clonmel and the south Tipperary area in general would like to put down a marker with the Minister with regard to the retention of the Defence Forces at Kickham Barracks in Clonmel. There has been a military presence in the town since Clonmel defeated Cromwell in 1650. In recent years, the proposals put forward by a number of governments have been successfully opposed by the people of the town. Kickham Barracks is vitally important to south Tipperary and is an essential element of the local community in Clonmel. I thank the Defence Forces nationally, but particularly in Clonmel where they are part and parcel of the fabric of the town and its communities. Individual members of the Defence Forces work across the spectrum, whether through charitable work, sports, cultural or education work. They are a vital element of the life and work of the people of Clonmel and south Tipperary and I would like to thank them in particular for the work they have done in supporting the population of Clonmel during flooding emergencies.

The presence of the Defence Forces in the town of Clonmel is also hugely important for the economic life of the town. The 12th battalion at Clonmel barracks brings millions of euro into south Tipperary on an annual basis and provides significant employment in the area. Also, members of Óglaigh na hÉireann and ex-members in the Irish United Nations Veterans Association work tirelessly within local communities. I would like to acknowledge the work done by people like Billy Keane and Martin Fennessy. Billy is a retired member of the Defence Forces and is chairman of the Clonmel boxing club, while Martin Fennessy, currently a serving member of the Defence Forces, is chief coach and manager for the club. The club has been very successful over the past number of years. I would like to thank the Defence Forces for their work at home and abroad.

I am sure that further amendments to the legislation will come before the House. We will consider any amendments coming forward before making a judgment on them.

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