Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

A few years ago, I recall there were quite a number of members of the PDF who had to cease membership after 20 years' service. They were still very young men and women. Is the 20-year fixed term gone now? Those people were disappointed to be leaving. They had a lot of knowledge, experience and skill and they were a loss to the Defence Forces. It is a fairly blunt instrument. If a person joined at 17 or 18, he or she would still be young and fit after 20 years. Is there a different retention measurement in place now in regard to age or length of service?