asked the Minister for Defence if he will extend to officers of the FCA the same option to extend their service to 60 years of age as is given to officers of the Permanent Defence Force.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - FCA Officers' Service.
15.
There is no military requirement for the retention in service of officers of an Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil beyond their normal ages for retirement.
In view of the fact that a review of the FCA has been going on for some years now and there have been no promotions to the rank of commandant and many personnel entitled to promotion are still active and willing to serve, would the Taoiseach not consider extending the period of service in the same manner as applies to the Permanent Defence Forces?
In actual fact, as the Deputy is probably aware, members of An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil can in a number of ranks serve beyond the equivalent date for officers in the Permanent Defence Forces. The commandant gets an extra year. A captain has an extra year and a first lieutenant and a second lieutenant have an extra eight years in An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil.
In view of the fact that there have been no promotions to the rank of commandant for the past three years they could not avail of this extension of service and many personnel willing and able to serve are therefore victimised. Would the Taoiseach now consider extending the service in the same manner as applies to officers in the Permanent Defence Forces so as to give them the opportunity of completing the review and then making a new assessment on the basis of the result of that review?
I will certainly consider the matter.