I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the details requested by the Deputy regarding the number of persons who left the force in 2002, 2003 and 2004 due to ill-health, retirement, death, dismissal and otherwise are as follows: 406 in 2002; 417 in 2003; and 377 in 2004, up until 4 October last. One member was dismissed with effect from 5 October 2004. The projections from 5 October to 31 December 2004 are that 30 members, all ranks, will retire on compulsory grounds and one member will retire on medical grounds. In addition, 25 members have applied to retire voluntarily.