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

I thank Deputy Ó Fearghaíl for his supportive remarks for the event held in Farmleigh today. In the context of recruitment, I gave the exact number of recruits this year up to October. By the time we reach 31 December we will have recruited an estimated 430 new members of the Defence Forces during the course of 2013. That is very important as well in terms of maintaining the strength of the Defence Forces, which moves up and down a little with retirements and competitions. It is also important that there is a constant sense of renewal within the Defence Forces in regard to the age profiles of individuals. I note what the Deputy said about the arrangements concerning compulsory retirements after 21 years’ service. They were put in place some years ago. The Deputy does not want me to revisit which Government put them in place but they were-----