Declan Bree
Ceist:85 Mr. Bree asked the Minister for Defence the number from County Sligo called for interview for the Permanent Defence Forces in 1994; the number from County Sligo recruited to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Defence Forces/FCA Recruitment.
Noel Ahern
Ceist:86 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Defence the number with FCÁ membership who applied to join the Defence Forces in the recent recruitment campaign; the consideration, if any, that was given to applicants with direct family in the Defence Forces; and his views on whether priority should be given to families whose direct relatives were killed while serving abroad with UN peacekeeping missions.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 85 and 86 together.
Eighty three persons from County Sligo were called for interview. One has been enlisted.
The precise number of FCA members who applied is not readily available but the estimated number is 3,800.
Apart from the favourable consideration given to members of the FCA, all applications were considered on an equal basis.