Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)

I share some of the concerns expressed by Deputy Deenihan with regard to the strength of the officer corps if this situation is to continue for any length of time. There is also the other factor, namely, officers taking early retirement or moving onwards. Is this situation under review at present? Can the Minister give any indication of how many officers intend to retire from the Defence Forces this year? How many cadets are currently in the Cadet School? Is there a possibility, or a probability, that the moratorium on the Cadet School might continue into future years? Does the Minister envisage any serious weakening of the officer corps in the Army as a result of early retirement and the lack of new cadets coming on stream?

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