There is a stand-off between the Army and the Minister for Defence, Michael Smith. It all stems from the top brass's reaction to the Government's White Paper recommending cutbacks of up to 1,000 troops and, it is understood, the criticism the Minister received from Cabinet colleagues for the way he handled the issue. Senior officers, in typical Army style, believe they fought the cutbacks as vigorously as possible, then set about helping the Minister implement them and now feel the whole matter should be over and done with. So how has this altercation manifested itself? Well, most significantly, Smith will not be attending the commissioning ceremony at the Curragh on Monday, a highly unusual occurrence, and his place will be taken by chief whip, Seamus Brennan. The occasion is a historic one in that it is the first time Army cadets (37 of them) and potential officers (i.e. those who have risen through the ranks and of whom 15 are participating) will be commissioned together. Instead of being there, the Minister, who signs the commission with the President, Mrs McAleese, and the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, will be in New York aboard LE Eithne at a naval review.
The Army top brass is taking umbrage at his absence and now see slights all over the place. At a recent diplomatic reception it was felt that the Minister ignored the Chief of Staff, Lieut Gen David Stapleton and his two assistant chiefs. Another perceived snub was the Minister's failure to attend last week's Dublin concert by the Army No 1 Band and the Irish Guards. The potentially controversial event was given the go-ahead by the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Army was encouraged to facilitate it. Not only did he not attend, senior officers told Quidnunc, but the Minister didn't send any senior departmental staff either, although invitations were issued.
Let's hope we don't go to war just yet.