Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

I referred previously to the fact that more than 200 Defence Forces personnel were recruited during the course of this year. It is vital to ensure a degree of age balance. There is intake into the Defence Forces, bearing in mind the number of retirements that occur. A definitive decision has not been taken nor the numbers finalised, but I think it likely that there will be some additional recruitment to the Defence Forces before the end of this year.

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