Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)

I am aware of the difficulties the moratorium is causing, not just in the Defence Forces but in other parts of the public sector. It is a necessary measure to bring the public finances back into order, which everyone agrees should be done. The moratorium has hit the Army particularly hard because there is a high level of turnover in any military organisation. The problems adverted to by Deputy Deenihan have been brought to my attention. That is why I have asked the Minister for Finance, first, to recognise certain acting-up appointments, second, to allow me to go ahead with a certain number of promotions, including in those instances to which Deputy Deenihan referred and, third, to allow me to start recruiting now to the Permanent Defence Forces so that the numbers do not drop any further, as they inevitably will unless we proceed with some recruitment now.

Our discussions have not concluded yet, but I have made the strongest case possible to the Minister for Finance. I have spoken to him on a number of occasions and the matter will be concluded shortly. I do not wish to pre-empt what the conclusion will be but the Deputy knows my aims.

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