asked the Minister for Defence if he will institute immediately discussions with the senior officers of the L.D.F. in Dublin and the provinces with a view to fixing immediately the "end of emergency" date for that force, and thereby remove the dissatisfaction on the part of those members who do not desire to join a permanent force, which arises out of the present indeterminate position and which is tending to disintegrate the force.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - L.D.F. Demobilisation Date.
The fixing of a date on which the L.D.F. in its present form will end and the new force commence has been receiving attention. It is recognised that this date should be fixed as early as possible, but it will be appreciated that the preparation of the necessary regulations involves somewhat protracted work which would not be expedited by discussion.
I have grounds for the hope that the date for the change-over will be fixed about the beginning of the new year.