asked the Minister for Defence what facilities are afforded to members of the Irish Army to ventilate any grievances which they may have in respect of pay, board and lodging, travelling facilities, clothing and footwear etc.

Section 114 of the Defence Act, 1954 and regulations made thereunder provide a procedure for dealing with any wrongs or grievances which military personnel think they have suffered.

Could the Minister explain what section 114 means?

Is the Minister sure he has the right section?

What is the procedure?

It is assumed that the Deputy has in mind individual wrongs and grievances. The section and the regulations provide that any person subject to military law may submit personally "any grievance to any of the officers mentioned hereunder" on the occasion of a general inspection by such officer of a unit or military installation or shore establishment or other installation of the naval service or a State ship:

(a) a military member of the Council of Defence;

(b) An officer commanding a command;

(c) An officer commanding a brigade.

The officer commanding a unit or military installation or shore establishment or other installation of the Naval Service or a State Ship, as the case may be, shall, on the occasion of a general inspection thereof by one of the officers mentioned, make arrangements for the submission of grievances and shall notify such arrangements in Routine Orders.

A grievance should be submitted as early as practicable while it is still possible to ascertain the facts on which the grievance is based. The grievance shall be confined to a statement of the matter in respect of which redress is sought.

An officer to whom a grievance is submitted shall inquire into such grievance and give his directions thereon.

These provisions are embodied in the Unit Standing Orders and are published on the notice board.

What happens if a soldier is not satisfied with the outcome of the grievance?

It all depends on what decisions are arrived at.

Assuming he is not satisfied, is there any place he can go to seek further assistance?

I do not think anybody can be satisfied all the time.

Did the Minister ever hear of a soldier who made a complaint and was satisfied?

No.

No, and I do not think he ever will either.