asked the Minister for Defence if the term "Come on" used in the present Army recruiting campaign film on RTE is the proper military command for such a situation as that portrayed.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Army Recruiting Campaign.
8.
The term "Come on", which is not a military command, is used as an exhortation in the present Army recruiting campaign film. The message being conveyed in the film is "come on and join the men in today's Army". It has been highly successful.
I think the Minister has made reference to the commercial use of the film. Would he not agree that this commercial is aimed at people who do not think for themselves in the sense that two people walk along the street and one nudges the other and says: "Let's join the Army when we hear the band", without thinking?
No. I am highly delighted with the success of the campaign. This proves that this film, and indeed the rejoinder "Come on", did us a lot of good rather than harm. In January this year we had 486 new recruits. In 1973 we had 227, in 1972 we had 275, in 1971 we had 116 only and in 1970 we had 247. In February, a very short month and traditionally a bad month for recruits, we had 393. I am highly delighted.
Would the Minister mind saying how many left the Army during that period?
That is a separate question. Question No. 9.
I can assure the Deputy, while I have not got the exact information as to how many left during that period, it is probably considerably less than in the years preceding that I mentioned, namely 1970 to 1973.
How many would the Minister estimate left?
Please, Deputies, let us make some progress. That is a separate question. I am calling Question No. 9.
If the Deputy requires the information I will give it to him.
The Chair should allow the information to be given.
I am in the hands of the Chair. I will give the Deputy the information.
Does the Deputy want more or less spent?
(Interruptions.)
Order please.
We had to ring the bell ten times yesterday.
(Interruptions.)