Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In dealing with retirement issues in particular, they cannot be predicted when dealing with the numbers in the Defence Forces. The number is affected by the number who may retire but at the appropriate moment we engage in recruitment and there will be recruitment this year, most likely in the second half of the year, to maintain strength. By the time we get through September, we will have a clear idea what the likely numbers will be at the end of the year. There are still three or four months left that are unpredictable but we have a fairly clear idea because of advance notice that people must give.