asked the Minister for Defence if he will state in relation to the last year's increased recruiting figures for the Army; and why there has been an appreciable drop in the number of ratings in the Irish Naval Service.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Defence Forces Recruitment.
89.
I do not agree that there has been an appreciable drop in the number of ratings in the Naval Service. It is, however, true that since the 1st September, 1969, when the recruiting campaign commenced, up to 28th February, 1970, there was a net wastage of 24 ratings in the Naval Service, whereas Army strength of other ranks increased by 485 over the same period. This may be due to the fact that this recruiting campaign was directed primarily towards improving the strength of the Army.