asked the Minister for Defence if his attention has been drawn to the financial hardship caused to many soldiers because of the fee charged for rations when they are on duty; and if he has any plans to discontinue this punitive practice.

(Limerick West): I do not accept the implication in the Deputy's question. The charge is only £1.68 per day for three full meals and extra rations where necessary.

Arising from the Minister's reply——

To Question No. 4?

It is all tied up with Question No. 3 anyhow.

Does the Minister not accept it is demeaning to ask a soldier who is at duty away from home to pay that kind of payment for meals? Does he not think it is time to change the shape of the Army and treat its members in the same way everybody else is treated when they are on duty away from home?

(Limerick West): I want to repeat my reply for the Deputy: I do not accept the implication in the Deputy's question. The charge is only £1.68 per day for three full meals and extra rations where necessary. I also want to advise the Deputy that single persons who live in barracks are issued with rations on a daily basis and are charged for such rations at the appropriate rate of deduction as outlined. Single personnel living outside barracks are not normally issued with rations.

The Minister is playing for time.

(Limerick West): However, if rations are issued the appropriate deduction from pay is made. Single personnel issued with rations do not incur the deduction in certain circumstances if they are on a course abroad or on overseas service. Married, non-commissioned personnel normally live with their families in married quarters or outside barracks and are not normally issued with rations. Where rations are issued the married man is charged for them subject, however, to the following: where married personnel are separated from their families while undertaking military duties, including security duties or attending a course at a location away from their permanent station, for example, on patrol duty or on board ship, they are issued with rations free of charge. Married personnel engaged on Border duties who are precluded from returning home for meals are also issued with rations free of charge. At present the rate of deduction from pay in respect of the supply of rations, three full meals plus extra rations where necessary, is £1.68 per day. This charge was fixed in January 1987.

If the charge of £1.68 per day is as small as the Minister says it is, why does he not do the big thing and give a signal of appreciation to the Army by cutting this charge out altogether? It will not upset the Exchequer one way or the other. That £1.68 may seem small to the Minister but it is a very big sum to a soldier who has 11 years' service and who brings home only £150 per week. The Minister should do the big thing by cutting this charge out altogether.

(Limerick West): This situation has pertained over the years and it has been agreed with the military authorities that the relevant charge is appropriate.

Question No. 5.

I should be entitled to ask another question.

Deputy Connaughton, the time for Priority Questions is running out pretty fast.

I want to ask just one question. I notice that the Minister here today——

That is not a question, Deputy.

——has said that everything is going to happen because the military authorities say so but I believe the Minister should act as Minister and do what he thinks is right.

The people in the public gallery must contain themselves and be quiet.

(Limerick West): The Minister has always acted as Minister——

The problem is the acting as opposed to the reality.

Shadow spokesman for all Departments.

A man for all seasons.

Question No. 5.

Let us hear the Minister's reply.