Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)

The White Paper on Defence of February 2000 sets out a figure of 10,500 personnel for the Permanent Defence Force, comprising 930 for the Air Corps, 1,144 for the Naval Service and 8,426 for the Army. The White Paper also provided that the Chief of Staff could maintain an additional 250 in training at any one time. The latter provision was withdrawn in 2003.

The agreed programme for Government now proposes an additional provision for up to 350 troops to be in training at any given time. The military authorities and my Department are undertaking the planning necessary to address this proposal.

It is my intention to maintain the established Government policy of ongoing recruitment to the Defence Forces. Recruitment into the Permanent Defence Force will continue to maintain the strength at the level set out in the White Paper as required to meet military needs.

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