Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)

The statistics for retirement by commandants on age grounds, as opposed to voluntary retirement, show that 26 retired voluntarily in 2000, while only three had reached the age of retirement. In 2001, five retired on age grounds, with 29 retiring voluntarily. That is the trend. Many of the commandants are retiring voluntarily and are not compelled on reaching the stipulated age. In other words, they retire at an age under 56.

Deputy Timmins will be aware that the maximum retirement age for officers ranges from 47 for a lieutenant, which is at one end of the scale, to 63 for a lieutenant-general, at the other end of the scale. I appreciate Deputy Timmins's comments regarding the age profile of the Army. We must keep the age profile below a certain level. That was the main criticism levelled at the general profile of the Army in the 1980s.

With regard to retaining people, I presume the Deputy is referring to people of officer and non-officer rank who have acquired certain qualifications. I will keep the matter under ongoing review.

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