Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)

In the period in question up to September of this year I calculate that 8.7% of officers, 17.9% of NCOs and 43.6% of privates have left. That is a matter of concern. Does the Minister know of any specific reason officers, for example, would have left? Are there any area specific proposals in this regard? In other words, are we simply embarking on a "one size fits all approach" or are there specific proposals for constituencies like mine which does not have a permanent Army presence similar to the one in the Minister's constituency and in a number of other constituencies?

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