Ruairí Quinn
Ceist:87 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Defence the plans, if any, he has to increase the number of Air Corps officers serving on UN missions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26837/98]
Written Answers. - Overseas Missions.
Ruairí Quinn
Ceist:88 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Defence the number of Air Corps officers who have served on UN missions in 1997 and 1998; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26836/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 87 and 88 together.
A total of eight Air Corps officers has served with UN missions from 1 January 1997 to date. The same selection procedures apply to Air Corps officers as to other volunteers for service with UN missions and there are no plans to change the policy in this regard. However the high incidence of retirement of Air Corps middle ranking officers in recent years has not permitted the selection of Air Corps officers for overseas service at the level of earlier years. Approximately 20 of the line officers currently serving with the Air Corps have served overseas.