Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)

If I miss any figures in respect of Deputy O'Shea's question I shall get the answer for him. I am informed that during the lifetime of the moratorium which will finish at the end of 2010, three Brigadier Generals and one Deputy Chief of Staff are due to retire. The total number of people who are to retire in the officer corps over that period will be 90. The last cadet class was put together last year and 41 members were taken into that class. I realise the importance of continuity and I understand Deputy O'Shea's point about the strength of the officer corps. It is not my decision. The moratorium applies to every Department. I made submissions to the Minister for Finance and by the next time parliamentary questions for the Department of Defence come around again, albeit after the summer, we will know the situation in full. I hope I will be able to persuade the Minister for Finance to grant me some concessions.

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