Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister of State confirming the Government has accepted the authorised strength of the Defence Forces at 10,000. It was 11,500 but because of the McCarthy report and reductions it now stands at 10,000. I recognise new structures will have to be introduced in the Defence Forces because of this reduction. Obviously, there will be new demands at different unit levels. If the ranks have been agreed between the Department and the Defence Forces, then the moratorium on promotion should be removed to fill the large number of vacant ranks. Will the Minister of State give a commitment that the Defence Forces will be allowed to fill these ranks without the need for authorisation? Will he also give an exact figure for the number of vacancies?

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