Fine Gael has called on the Minister for Defence, Mr Smith, to publish his promised White Paper immediately in order to end the "utter confusion" about the role of the Naval Service and Air Corps.
The Fine Gael spokeswoman on defence, Ms Frances Fitzgerald, said that it was impossible for the organisations to carry out their duties "against a background of contradictory mutterings" from the Minister.
She was responding to comments made this week by Capt Peader McElhinney, second most senior officer in the Naval Service until he retired on Monday. Capt McElhinney expressed disappointment that the full recommendations of the Price Waterhouse review had not been accepted by the Government, and said the service had been left "waiting for Godot".
Capt McElhinney said he was heartened by recent statements from the Minister, but made it clear that his criticism was directed at the various departments involved in the review.
Late last month the Minister said he had rejected a Department of Finance proposal to amalgamate the Naval Service and Air Corps, and stressed that both organisations had a very bright future. The Price Waterhouse review had stressed the multi-task roles of both defence wings and had drawn up a re-equipment plan.
The Minister is due to commission the eighth naval patrol ship, the Le Roisin, in Devon tomorrow. The order for a ninth ship, which had been expected to be signed this week, will not now be placed until after the new vessel's performance is assessed, according to the Department.
