Written answers

Wednesday, 7 March 2007

Department of Defence

Defence Forces Communications

10:00 pm

Photo of Dan BoyleDan Boyle (Cork South Central, Green Party)
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Question 105: To ask the Minister for Defence the regulations regarding Ministerial permission for statements by the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8924/07]

Photo of Joe CostelloJoe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 133: To ask the Minister for Defence if guidelines are in place governing the conduct of senior members of the Defence Forces in regard to commenting publicly on matters to do with Defence Forces activities; if such guidelines have been breached in recent interviews by senior members of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8763/07]

Photo of Willie O'DeaWillie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 105 and 133 together.

The question of public comment on official matters by any member of the Defence Forces is governed by Paragraph 27 of Defence Force Regulation A.7, which prohibits the airing of individual opinions on service matters, public business or politics. This prohibition is supplemented by a direction that "comment, if any, . . . touching on questions of a political nature — whether national or international — shall avoid strictly any reference which might be construed as being of a controversial nature."

These Regulatory provisions apply to all military officers, regardless of rank. There are no additional guidelines or restrictions that apply uniquely to senior officers. However, a tradition of strict political neutrality has governed senior public service managers since the foundation of the State and senior military officers have always been governed by that tradition.

On the matter of communicating official information or other interaction with the media, the Defence Forces may communicate the official position on an agreed set of topics, relating mainly to military operational matters. On matters of policy one official position is defined either by the Government, by me as Minister for Defence (or through my officials). In this regard, judgement is required in distinguishing between purely operational matters and matters of policy.

In recent years, there has been a growing public interest in defence and security issues. As a consequence, a more wide-ranging public debate has ensued. I share the Deputies' underlying concern that members of the Defence Forces should not make any comment whatsoever on matters of a political nature or on matters which are for decision by Government or which will come before either House of the Oireachtas for discussion or decision. The reason for this is simple. We live in a democracy and politicians are answerable to the people.

I am delighted to have this opportunity to set the record straight on what my intentions were in writing to the Chief of Staff last January. I was disappointed that an internal letter from me to the Chief of Staff appeared in the media and was subject to distortion. Let me be very clear that the Chief of Staff has done nothing warranting a public rebuke. I have seen at first hand the contribution that the Chief of Staff has made to the Defence Forces throughout a distinguished career. This contribution should in no way be tarnished by the leaking and malicious misrepresentation of my letter.

I welcome the expression of views by senior military personnel on matters of current or proposed policy in private and through the chain of command. At the same time, it is of particular importance that officers of the Defence Forces do not become involved in public debate on the merits of any matter of defence policy. I am satisfied that the Chief of Staff did not intend to enter into public debate on such matters. I did however consider it appropriate to re-state the position relating to publicity and interaction with the media by the members of the Defence Forces and to bring this to the attention of all relevant Defence Forces personnel.

As I have said, I am happy to set the record straight in response to the appearance of the letter in the media and to state that the matter is now closed, and the Chief of Staff and I are dealing with business as normal as we have always done.

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