Alan Shatter
Ceist:79 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Defence the reason officers and non-commissioned officers are not being promoted within the Navy to fill the vacancies arising from the exodus of personnel to the private sector. [17874/98]
Written Answers. - Naval Service Personnel.
Systems and general criteria governing promotion are matters which come within the scope of representation. Where Naval Service officer promotions are concerned, arrangements are agreed for each competition with the Representative Association of Commissioned Officers. Both sides have agreed to enter into discussions on a long-term system governing promotion in the Naval Service and it is anticipated that this system will be put in place in 1999.
The Permanent Defence Force Other Ranks Representative Association has submitted proposals at the conciliation council regarding career development and promotion for NCOs. These proposals are under consideration at present with a view to arriving at a mutually acceptable resolution. It is expected that there will be further promotions in the Naval Service later this month as agreed with the representative associations.
The overall question of structure and staffing of the Naval Service will be addressed in the context of the implementation of the Price Waterhouse review.