Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I do not wish to pre-announce the outcome of an adjudication process which has been ongoing for some time. An adjudication hearing is due to be held on 30 January and we expect an outcome more or less immediately thereafter. We will then have a much clearer picture of what compromises are doable. If we were to keep personnel in the Defence Forces for longer than had been expected, it would obviously have an impact on our recruitment programme for this year. Last year 416 people were recruited into the Permanent Defence Force to maintain numbers at 9,500. The recruitment strategy for this year would have to accommodate any decision to allow personnel to remain in the Defence Forces. I do not want to put numbers on this, as I would like to wait until the adjudication process is finalised.