Vol. 474 No. 6
281 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Defence the current position regarding the establishment of a Slua Muirí unit in the Dundalk area, County Louth; whether any applications have been made to transfer non-Slua Muirí officers to such a unit; the number of vacancies in Slua Muirí units in the eastern group since January 1996; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3516/97]
A comprehensive review of the Reserve Defence Force which will recommend the future organisation and structure of the reserve will be undertaken this year and any reorganisation or expansion of An Slua Muirí must await the outcome of that review. Accordingly, it is not proposed to set up a unit of An Slua Muirí in Dundalk prior to completion of the review. Applications for transfer to An Slua Muirí, in anticipation that a unit may be established in Dundalk, have been received from two officers of An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil.
At present one officer appointment in the Slua Muirí units located in Dublin is vacant.
