Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)

Yes, but the need to keep the expenditure of the Defence Forces in line with public service commitments will have to be adhered to. I assure the Deputy that the commitments that have already been made by the Government, in consultation with the representative bodies, will be adhered to. The focus will be on the operational capability of the Defence Forces in whatever decisions are taken.

The Deputy will be aware of some of the exemptions from the moratorium on recruitment that have been secured by the former Minister. The Minister for Finance's approval was received for the recruitment of 42 Army and Naval Service cadets in 2009. Sanction was also received to fill the post of deputy chief of staff (operations), two posts at brigadier general level, and the post of director of military prosecutions by way of promotion. The promotion of ten NCOs, whose promotion had commenced prior to the moratorium, has proceeded and sanction for 100 acting-up posts to service operational requirements, both at home and overseas-----

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