Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)

We discussed the issue of personnel deployed overseas at the committee meeting last week. I join the Minister in wishing the personnel deploying to Lebanon health and success, and I wish their families well. They follow in a very fine tradition.

Overseas service is the lifeblood of the Defence Forces in terms of the experience it gives them. Is the Minister happy that the balance serving overseas at present between general service, non-commissioned officers, NCOs, and commissioned officers reflects the overall balance of the Defence Forces? Troops are broadly expected to serve one six month tour every three years. Is that ratio still in place?

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