With regard to annual training for the first line reserve, which consists of former members of the Permanent Defence Force including the Naval Service, the position is that members of the first line have not been required to attend for annual training or courses of instruction since 1988. Accordingly, no former officer of the Naval Service who is now a member of the first line reserve was called to attend for annual training in 1998.
However, in 1998, it was decided to permit the employment of a maximum of ten suitably qualified officers of the first line reserve for seagoing duties pending direct recruitment of watchkeeping officers. Accordingly, eight suitably qualified officers of the first line reserve undertook seagoing duties as watchkeeping officers during 1998 and these were paid the appropriate rates of pay and allowances.
The gratuities paid in 1997 to officers of the first line reserve amounted to £68,103. Pursuant to Defence Force regulations, the gratuities are payable regardless of whether members attend for annual training or other courses of instruction. No other payments were made to officers of the first line reserve in 1997.
With regard to the training of An Slua Muirí, I am advised by the military authorities that to date in 1998, some 28 officers have undertaken annual training.