David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have two other questions. The first concerns promotions from the ranks. If someone is promoted from the ranks into the officer corps, does the fact that they do not have service within it prior to being promoted affect their prospects for further promotion in the officer corps, or is service in the non-commissioned ranks taken into account? I am aware of some instances where it is not taken into account which leads to anomalies and unfairness.