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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 8 Mar 1990

Vol. 396 No. 8

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Defence Force Appointments.

Edward Nealon

Question:

21 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for Defence the number of appointments within the non-commissioned officers' establishment which are vacant at present.

The strength of non-commissioned officers in the Permanent Defence Force was 5,077 on 31 January 1990, as against a figure of 5,959 provided in establishments.

Is the Minister aware that there is widespread discontent throughout the Defence Forces about the slowness in making promotions due?

There are two aspects to it. How real is the establishment figure? The establishment figure for all ranks has been there for a considerable time and it may be a bit unrealistic in terms of a mobilised, mechanised approach to military organisation, particularly in the Army. The notion of chasing an establishment figure fixed ten years ago, if we are to change the whole approach to the Army structure, is a bit unreal. This is the main consideration and I have asked the Army authorities to come up with a realistic figure to aim at, rather than what is rapidly becoming a mythical establishment figure which will never really be reached.

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