Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I hope that they will be brought to a satisfactory conclusion. However, I accept the importance of bringing to the attention of the Minister the points the Deputy raised.

As a result of the fact that military life places unique physical and psychological demands on individuals, it is necessary that members of the Permanent Defence Force be physically and mentally prepared to meet the challenges of all military operations and be in a position to undertake their duties when on deployment overseas. It is, therefore, vital that the age and health profile of personnel be such as to ensure that operational capability and effectiveness are not compromised.

As such, to maintain the age profile of the Defence Forces to carry out the operational tasks required by the Government, it is necessary to have a constant input of recruits. The maximum age for personnel who have enlisted in the Permanent Defence Force post 1 January 1994 provides the mechanism through which a satisfactory age profile can be achieved. I hope this helps Deputy Phelan in some way.

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