Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)

I repeat what I stated regarding promotions:

I can confirm that normal advancements within the Permanent Defence Force do not fall within the scope of the savings measures. This includes such categories as existing cadets being commissioned following cadet training, and general service recruits who have already been enlisted and who are completing their course of training. Consequently, such advancements are now proceeding in the normal way.

With regard to other promotions and Deputy Deenihan's question about the replacement of people who will retire this year, the Permanent Defence Force and the Reserve Defence Force are quite different. The Reserve Defence Force is a voluntary organisation. The Department of Defence pays for a number of training days per annum for the Reserve Defence Force. Membership of the Permanent Defence Force is something else entirely. We must observe the moratorium on recruitment.

I have written to the Minister for Finance and I will speak to him shortly with regard to that correspondence. I have asked for various matters to be clarified and for exceptions to the moratorium to be made. I expect to meet the Minister shortly to discuss my request.

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