Vol. 496 No. 4
102 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Defence the number of people recruited into the Naval Service in the year 1997 and to date in 1998; the number of these recruits who have already left the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22966/98]
A total of 75 recruits were enlisted into the Naval Service in 1997 and 71 have been enlisted to date in 1998. Of these, 11 were discharged in 1997 and seven have been discharged to date in 1998.
Recruitment to the Naval Service is ongoing and I recently authorised the recruitment of a further 70 recruits, 21 of whom have just been enlisted.
