Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I do not think that is the case. It is very hard to plan defence expenditure on an annual basis because in terms of much of the equipment used multi-annual planning is involved. We have just spent most of the €199 million for a ship replacement programme which involves three vessels, the third of which will arrive next summer. It is almost a five year plan. At times there is a carryover from year to year. In terms of savings in recruitment made because of the delay between retirements and recruitment, they can facilitate the provision of the extra money needed in the pensions Vote. We are fully funded to continue recruitment to increase the number to 9,500. The figure stands at just over 9,200. The White Paper on Defence is quite clear that we want 9,500 to be the base figure, not a target figure. We are fully funded to try to make that happen next year. As I understand it, the 21 year rule will not make a huge difference to our numbers. It has been factored in.