I propose to take Questions Nos. 15, 56, 150 and 199 together.
Under the Defence (Amendment) Act, 1990, matters relating to pay and allowances come within the scope of representation of the Permanent Defence Force Other Ranks Representative Association, PDFORRA, and the Representative Association for Commissioned Officers, RACO, and may be processed through the conciliation and arbitration scheme for the Permanent Defence Force which was established in agreement with the associations. The question of the rates of patrol duty allowance payable to members of the Naval Service has been raised by the associations under the terms of the conciliation and arbitration scheme. Under the terms of the scheme, as agreed with the associations, discussions on claims which are being processed are confidential and, therefore, it would not be appropriate for me to comment further at this time.
During the period December 1996 to January 1998, 91 non-commissioned personnel left the Naval Service, some having transferred to other areas of the Permanent Defence Force. A total of 104 non-commissioned personnel were recruited to the Naval Service during the same period. A total of 15 officers have left the Naval Service since 1996, while a total of 13 naval cadetships have been awarded during the same period.