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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 30 Oct 1980

Vol. 323 No. 7

Ceisteanna—Questions . Oral Answers . - An Slua Muirí .

43.

asked the Minister for Defence if he will state, in relation to An Slua Muirí, (a) the number of (i) officers, (ii) enlisted men and (iii) petty officers in this body in each of the past five years, (b) the number who have resigned in each category in each of the past five years; if the body has an official training vessel, how many members are given annual training at sea each year and the average length of such training; the control structure in the Navy over this body; how day-to-day co-operation in its work is achieved; and the precise functions envisaged for this body in the future.

: As the reply is largely in the form of a tabular statement, I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to circulate it with the Official Report.

Following is the statement:

(a) Slua Muirí—strengths.

31 December 1976

31 December 1977

31 December 1978

31 December 1979

31 August 1980

Officers

28

26

24

24

28

N.C.O.'s

74

80

86

94

89

Men

390

431

354

314

286

(b) Numbers who resigned, retired or were discharged during the period shown.

1 January 1976 to 31 December 1976

1 January 1977 to 31 December 1977

1 January 1978 to 31 December 1978

1 January 1979 to 31 December 1979

1 January 1980 to 31 August 1980

Officers

*3

2

2

1

N.C.O.'s

4

8

4

4

1

Men

61

44

44

18

18

* Included in this figure is one officer who died.

Each of the five Companies of An Slua Muirí has a Naval Whaler and in addition, An Slua has the use of a 50 foot Yacht for training purposes.

With these vessels every active member of An Slua Muirí is given the opportunity of spending part of his annual training at sea. Furthermore, many members of An Slua, as they advance in that force, take part in foreign cruises by naval vessels. It would not be possible to furnish the average length of training at sea by each member of An Slua.

An Slua Muirí is organised into five Companies made up of three Companies in the Eastern Group and the remaining two Companies in the Southern Group. Each Group is under the command of a Group Officer who is a Lieutenant in the Naval Service and who is assisted by a permanent staff of Naval Service personnel. Control of An Slua Muirí is exercised by Naval Service Headquarters through the Officer in Charge of An Slua Muirí who is a Lieutenant Commander on the Headquarters staff.

The role envisaged for An Slua Muirí in an emergency situation is seaward defence, port control and examination of vessels. Training is directed towards preparing the personnel involved for these tasks.

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