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

I will be brief because Deputy Ó Fearghaíl raised it. There are regulations in place with regard to this. As I explained, it concerns ensuring that the Defence Forces are truly fit for purpose. There are very good people who will have served their time in the Defence Forces and who will have made contributions that will be greatly appreciated, but it is important that there be a turnover and that a certain age profile be maintained in the force. A very considered decision was made some years ago in this regard. I believe it was right and I support it. I do not envisage that arrangement changing in the short to medium term.