Vol. 425 No. 7
284 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Defence whether there are regulations or guidelines in relation to the FCA dealing with promotion, the setting up of interview boards, the composition of such interview boards and the criteria to be taken into account for promotion; and if not, whether these will be provided for.
The requirements for the promotion of members of An Fóras Cosanta Áitiúil are set out in Defence Force Regulations R.5 a copy of which is available in the Library of the Houses of the Oireachtas. Detailed criteria governing the promotion of officers have been laid down in relation to such factors as period in present rank, attendance at annual training and annual performance ratings.
Privates in the FCA are required to complete a potential NCO course before they can be promoted to the rank of corporal. At present there is no requirement to complete any further course for promotion to higher NCO rank but a proposal to introduce such a requirement is under consideration.
