Jack Wall
Question:179 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Defence if he will investigate the transfer of a person (details supplied) to an army facility for family reasons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7176/04]
View answerWednesday, 3 March 2004
Questions (108)
Written answers
The military authorities have advised that the individual in question applied for a transfer from 2 Infantry Battalion to 1 Air Defence Regiment Curragh Camp on 14 November 2003. The application was not recommended by his commanding officer or by the general officer commanding of the Defence Forces Training Centre, as there were no vacancies in the proposed unit.
The individual in question submitted another application to 1 Armoured Cavalry Squadron, Curragh Camp on 1 March 2004. This application is being considered by his commanding officer. Following his commanding officer's recommendation the application will be forwarded to the general officer commanding 2 Eastern Brigade and to the proposed unit for their consideration. It is not possible at this stage to indicate what the outcome of the individual's current application for transfer may be.
The transfer from one service or unit to another of a member of the Permanent Defence Force is entirely a matter for the military authorities in the light of operational requirements. Applications for transfers must be made through the normal military channels in the prescribed manner. The outcome of any such application is notified to the individual through the normal military channels. Every effort is made to facilitate transfer applications where circumstances permit. Applications are considered having regard to factors such as the manpower level of the unit in which the applicant is serving, the number of transfer applications already on hand, the seniority of the applicant within the unit and the existence of a suitable vacancy in the unit to which the applicant wishes to transfer.