Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

9. To ask the Minister for Defence when he will commence recruitment into the Army bomb disposal units; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1203/15]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The incident yesterday at the Intel plant in Kildare brings to the fore the importance of having a well equipped and resourced Army bomb disposal division. As it stands, we have units based in Athlone, the Curragh, Rathmines and Cork. In the past three years, these units were called out 595 times, in 75 cases to schools where unstable chemicals had to be dealt with by the Defence Forces. What steps are being taken to increase the number of active personnel within the bomb disposal units?

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for his timely question. The total number of Army bomb disposal call-outs was 141 last year, down from 250 the year before. However, that is not to suggest the problem is going away. The figures go up and down year on year, from 180 back in 2008 to 141 last year. The figure could be higher this year; we will have to wait and see.

Explosive ordnance disposal is the military term used to refer to what is commonly called bomb disposal. It is a task assigned to the Defence Forces by Government and is provided in aid to the civil power, namely, the Garda Síochána. Within the Defence Forces the explosive ordnance disposal function is assigned to the ordnance corps.

The issue of the terms and conditions for entry into the ordnance corps has been raised by the Representative Association of Commissioned Officers, RACO, at conciliation council. In accordance with normal procedures, the association's claim is being dealt with under the conciliation and arbitration scheme for members of the Permanent Defence Force. As discussions under the scheme are confidential to the parties involved, it would not be appropriate for me to comment further on the matter at this time. However, it is my intention that recruitment will commence as soon as the terms and conditions have been agreed.

RACO has expressed concern that because of the recruitment procedures, which take some time, there are not as many personnel as there should be in the ordnance division. We are taking steps to address that important issue. It is worthwhile to note that we have international credibility in this area in terms of training. Deputy Wallace may be interested to know that one of the things our troops are doing in Afghanistan is providing training in bomb disposal and explosives management. We need to maintain that particular skill set and the numbers of staff who are proficient in it. As I have outlined, there is an ongoing discussion with RACO which we hope will soon be finalised.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The last intake to the Defence Forces was in September 2011, which is more than three years ago. While we have been training many personnel from around the world, we have not been training our own personnel to man our Army bomb disposal units. By the middle of this year, as a consequence of retirements and staff leaving as a result of the number of duties they are required to fulfil per month away from home, we will have fewer than half the active numbers of personnel we need to operate our bomb disposal units effectively. How great a priority is this problem for the Minister? When will we have our numbers back up to the level we need to maintain the four units across the country and deal with our international obligations?

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

It is not appropriate for me to talk about numbers while the conciliation process is ongoing. It is a priority for me to secure agreement through that process with RACO so we can move ahead and ensure, first, that we maintain the training levels and skill sets that are needed in this very important area and, second, that we have the numbers we need to ensure we are fully covered. I intend to progress the matter as a priority but, as with the 21-year rule issue, I must wait for a process to conclude before I can start making definitive commitments and comments on it. Otherwise I would be wading into the middle of a conciliation process, which would not be very clever in the current environment.