Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)

Is the Minister confident there are the training personnel and resources to train the promised 350 troops? When will recruitment begin? Although the commitment is for 2008, surely the recruitment process should have begun to ensure 350 personnel will be in training by the end of that year. Is it the Minister's objective to have 350 troops in training at the end of 2008? I seek clarity on the issue, as well as on whether the Minister is satisfied the training arrangements are in place to accommodate this increase in numbers. Some within the Army are suspicious because of the withdrawal of the commitment made in the White Paper. At that time a compromise was reached with the military authorities in respect of the force reduction from 11,500 to 10,500, to the effect there would be 250 personnel in training at any one time. As this commitment was reneged on by the Government, it is feared the new commitment will also be reneged on, or not fully fulfilled. I seek clarification in this regard.

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