Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)

The number of promotions could be increased from 30. I appreciate the need to extend the acting up provisions and that is why I am in contact with the Department of Finance in this regard. I also accept that 50 promotions are not adequate but this is the first instalment and I expect further news on this shortly.

With regard to the health and safety issues, the military authorities say the Army is fit for purpose. Certainly there are vacancies and gaps caused by the moratorium because the army is an institution with a high rate of turnover and naturally that will have an impact. We have made some progress and received some exemptions from the moratorium. I am utterly confident that we will receive more.

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