Dr. Mark Mellett:

I will deal with the question on the psychiatrist first. We have been endeavouring to recruit a psychiatrist for some months now. The matter has been in the market in terms of looking for an applicant. The competition closed in September with no applicant. The individual providing the services retired earlier this year.

The issue with regard to the availability of services for all Defence Forces personnel is a priority for me. Private facilities have been made available for all personnel within the Defence Forces until we find a psychiatrist who can be brought onto our books as a permanent resource. Deputy Wallace's point is correct in the sense that there was a period, I believe, when the policy was that enlisted ranks were not getting access to a psychiatrist other than through the public system. However, that has been expedited and moved to a point now, if I am correct-----