I propose to take Questions Nos. 9, 10, 14, 17 and 75 together.
In July 1995 the Government announced its response to the report of the Efficiency Audit Group (EAG) on its review of the Defence Forces and published a document detailing the EAG report and setting out the Government's approach to the reorganisation.
The Government indicated that they accepted the general thrust of the EAG report. It was also stated that an Implementation Group would be established to draw up detailed and fully costed proposals to implement a first phase plan covering the next three years. This plan would be based on the reorganisation of the Permanent Defence Forces on the basis of a three brigade structure with a total manpower level of 11,500. The strength of the Permanent Defence Force on 30 November 1995 was 12,770 made up as follows: Army, 10,608; Air Corps, 1,098; Naval Service, 1,064.