John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 61: To ask the Minister for Defence if he will report on his speech to the biennial conference of the Representative Association of Commissioned Officers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38197/05]

Tom Kitt (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

On 29 November 2005, the Minister for Defence addressed the biennial delegate conference of the Representative Association of Commissioned Officers, RACO, in Cavan. The Minister sought to make his address relevant, informative and positive and discussed topics of interest to military delegates, their colleagues and to the wider community. Those topics included the representative process, partnership, Defence Forces arbitration board, defence spending, the White Paper on defence, EU battle groups, volunteer corps unit, overseas numbers, bullying and harassment, future pay policy, equal opportunity and the review of measures with a view to maximising the number of women applicants into the Defence Forces. The Minister is satisfied that his speech was well received by the assembled delegates and is grateful to the Deputies for their interest in his address which can be accessed from the Department's website, www.defence.ie.

Among the issues raised by RACO were the White Paper on Defence, partnership, modernisation agenda, promotion system, child care, public service pay system, benchmarking, arbitration, medical review, retirement age, disaster relief and military representation in the Portuguese Defence Forces. It is clear that the Minister covered a very wide and comprehensive agenda in his address to RACO.

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Does the Minister of State intend to invest more in military hardware because of our peacekeeping and peace enforcement obligations? The Minister of State did not respond to my earlier point. Following on from what Lieutenant General Jim Sreenan said at the RACO conference, are there plans to invest more money in the intelligence services? Can the Minister of State give me a direct answer?

Tom Kitt (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

That would be a matter for the interdepartmental committee and the steering group. It is an important area in which we should invest. Intelligence is critical in terms of prevention. I share the Deputy's views on this matter and will report them to the Department.

With regard to military hardware, the Government continues to review its investment in such equipment. Clearly there will be more investment in the years ahead because of the increase in budget and the sale of property which gives us an opportunity to invest more in equipment.

Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

At the RACO conference the Minister raised the serious issue of the percentage of officers serving overseas. I note that the Minister for Defence has today tabled a motion to the House seeking to redeploy troops to Sierra Leone. In his capacity as Government Whip, will the Minister of State agree to bring that motion before the House rather than a committee? The tradition was for such motions to come before the House but in recent years it has been brought to committee. In view of the comments made by the Minister at that conference, will the Minister of State agree to bring it to the Dáil?

Tom Kitt (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

As I said earlier, the Minister has stated that he is simply reviewing the role of officers serving abroad. He is not in any way reviewing the number of personnel, which is set at 850. That will remain constant.

On the remit of the Liberia contingent, I warmly welcome the extension of its involvement to Sierra Leone. As Minister of State with responsibility for overseas development I visited Sierra Leone and witnessed the major need for our personnel. It is important that we extend our remit to meet that need.

On the Deputy's last point, I will, if at all possible, bring that particular motion before the House. He would prefer it to be raised in the House rather than at committee level and I will endeavour to do so.

Joe Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Minister of State is very positive in his replies and has made important points. I hope there will be action on the matters raised. The Minister for Defence, Deputy O'Dea, is participating in RTE's television coverage of the budget. Is this a legitimate reason for him to miss Question Time?

Deputies:

Hear, hear.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I hope the Minister is not wearing a gun.

Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

He is having his photograph taken.

Tom Kitt (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

It is rare that there is such a fantastic audience for Question Time. I mentioned at the outset that the Minister is in the RTE studio. I assume Members from other parties are also there.

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Has the Minister got his weapon with him?

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I hope he has left his bazooka behind.

Tom Kitt (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

It is important that representatives of the Government should communicate the issues under discussion today in the public domain. It is quite normal that the Minister should be at the studio. I will convey Deputy Sherlock's good wishes to him.

Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Will the Minister be paid for his appearance on RTE?

Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

He should stay there.

Tom Kitt (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Deputies are aware that the Minister will not be paid for his appearance on RTE television.