Vol. 476 No. 5
273 Mr. D. Wallace asked the Minister for Defence the number of officers who have been promoted to captain since 1987 who have not fulfilled their requirement of five years' satisfactory service as a lieutenant; the number who have less than nine years' overall service; and the circumstances in which this situation occurred. [7449/97]
The criteria, including the service requirements, governing the promotion of officers of An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil, are laid down in Defence Force Regulations and in Instructions issued by the Adjutant-General. Records show that since 1987 no officer of An Fórsa was promoted to the rank of captain without meeting the service requirement of five years' service in the rank of lieutenant and that all officers so promoted had at least nine years' commissioned service.
274 Mr. Martin asked the Minister for Defence the circumstances under which FCA officers are promoted or placed on a general list; the number of such officers by command; and if he will give details of the general list in relation to FCA officers. [7450/97]
The General List is a military administrative device which is used only in exceptional circumstances. At present three officers of An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil, Eastern Command are posted to the General List. The reasons for such postings are the temporary residence outside the State of a member, no suitable vacancy in a particular unit and on the basis of a recommendation of the general officer Commanding. The posting of these officers to the General List permitted the promotion of one officer and the appointment to commissioned rank of two members.
