Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)

The fact there will be no cadet recruitment this year comes as something of a bombshell and certainly will affect the future operational capacity of the Defence Forces. I would not wish to be in the Minister's position and to be obliged to stand over and explain this decision to the Defence Forces. Will the Minister give Members an assurance today that aid to the civil power and future overseas missions will not be affected by this decision? For example, what now will be the fate of those Air Corp pilots who are on a 12-year contract at present and who have been trained at enormous expense to the State? I also refer to soldiers who joined on the basis that promotion was a prerequisite of having their contracts extended. If such soldiers will not be promoted, will they now be obliged to leave the Defence Forces?

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