Bernard Allen
Question:65 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Defence if there are enough personnel volunteering for overseas duty. [9253/99]
Written Answers. - Overseas Missions.
Frances Fitzgerald
Question:121 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Defence if there are enough personnel volunteering for overseas duty. [9313/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 65 and 121 together.
The Government's policy of ongoing continuous recruitment to the Defence Forces has resulted in a significant increase in the number of volunteers for overseas service. There were no problems with the numbers of volunteers for the 84th Infantry Battalion which is currently serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon – UNIFIL – and none is expected in relation to the 85th Infantry Battalion due to depart later this month. I am, therefore, happy to say that the position in relation to personnel volunteering for overseas service is satisfactory.