Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)

There would not be an appreciable saving in the event of a delay of a month or so and that should not be a consideration. Recruitment should be targeted at areas where the most immediate need arises. While I am well disposed to the idea of panels, I realise one of their major downsides is the uncertainty of recruitment. In one year 50 people might be recruited from a panel, in another year 80 people might be recruited and then, perhaps in a downturn, only ten might be recruited. It is very difficult to judge a reasonable annual expectation of the number of people to be recruited from a panel. However, panels also have some merit and I will raise the issue with Department officials and the military authorities. In the recruitment campaign we should target the areas of most immediate need and try to address them. We have a shortfall of 123 or 127 personnel currently, which is a small number. I would be happier to target recruitment at areas with specific needs.

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