asked the Minister for Defence whether officers of the FCA and An Slua Mhuirí on full-time security duty can be promoted earlier to a higher rank because of such duty in comparison to those not on full-time security duty and, if so, the number in 1980, 1981 and 1982 distinguished by rank; (a) the criteria for such promotions and if they are substantive and/or supernumery to establishment; (b) whether officers or NCO's of the FCA and An Slua Mhuirí can be promoted to higher ranks within their own units while on full time security duty and attached to a PDF unit formation; and (c) whether (b) would cause a unit to lose an officer or NCO post due to such individuals being committed full-time to his PDF unit or formation.
Written Answers. - FCA and An Slua Mhuirí.
540.
The conditions governing promotion apply equally to all officers of the FCA and An Slua Mhuirí.
The following is the position in relation to the other points raised: (a) See first paragraph. (b) Yes. (c) No. An officer or NCO may with his own consent be assigned on attachment for service with a PDF unit for a specified period of time. He does not, accordingly, relinquish the appointment held by him in his FCA unit.