Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)

He hit the crossbar a few times, but eventually the Minister got there. I pay tribute to him and wish him well.

The body which nominated me to the Seanad is the Irish Conference of Professional and Services Associations, of which PDFORRA is an integral part. It is therefore fitting that I should make a contribution to the debate on this Bill. It was also fitting that there was a speech by a former member of the Defence Forces, Senator Minihan, who laid down the parameters of the legislation as he saw fit and provided the House with the benefit of the vast knowledge gained from his experience. It is very important to hear such contributions when we have Bills like this to discuss.

The Bill represents a definite advance for the Defence Forces. My colleague, Senator Paddy Burke, has outlined my party's position in detail and will address the matter even more closely on Committee Stage. I join previous speakers in mentioning John Lucey who did so much over the years to encourage the appointment of a Defence Forces ombudsman. The legislation is a fitting reminder of John's work within the Defence Forces.

Like other Members, I was concerned to learn of a matter raised at the PDFORRA conference. Dozens of soldiers are being coerced to join overseas missions despite the availability of volunteers for service abroad. The matter will probably be raised with the Minister if he attends the conference this evening. If volunteers are available and we are changing the manner in which things are done, an explanation is necessary. If the system has worked well, why are changes being made, especially with regard to Liberia, the dangers of which have been alluded to by other speakers? I hope the Minister will address this issue. I share the Minister's confidence that very few complaints will fall to be dealt with in the number of areas which will be outside the statutory remit of the ombudsman. I hope the legislation will cover the vast majority of complaints which come before the ombudsman.

We would be remiss if we neglected to pay tribute to the work of the Defence Forces since the foundation of the State. As has been stated, the Defence Forces played a vital role in the formation and defence of democracy. We should never forget that we owe a great debt of gratitude to the forces for that work. The Defence Forces are recognised throughout the world for their work on peacekeeping missions and the excellent rapport members have established with people wherever they have gone. We should not be slow to praise the work of the Defence Forces on these missions as well as at home. This is a period of transition in which barracks are being closed. I join Senator Minihan in requesting the continuation of the reinvestment programme for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service. The money which accrues from the sale of barracks must be reinvested to allow the members of the Defence Forces to see that funds are being ploughed back into a system which needs investment at this time.

I hope this necessary Bill will pass speedily through the House, having taken some time to get to this point. Fine Gael will do everything it can to expedite its passage.