Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The transfer of a member of the Permanent Defence Forces from one service or unit to another is entirely a matter for the military authorities in the light of operational requirements. In general terms, applications for transfers are considered by the military authorities having regard to factors such as the manpower level of the unit in which the applicant is serving, the number of transfer applications already on hand, the seniority of the applicant within the unit and the existence of a suitable vacancy in the unit to which the applicant wishes to transfer. Every effort is made to facilitate transfer applications where circumstances permit.

Personnel from the Naval Service are no different from those in any other service or formation within the Defence Forces in that they may apply for transfers within the organisation. The Defence Forces process for internal transfers , including those from the Naval Service to the Army, involves each application being assessed individually based on its merits and on the exigencies of the service. The process includes the opportunity for the applicant to make representation to the relevant general officer commanding or flag officer commanding in the Naval Service. The application process is formalised in Defence Forces regulations. I have been advised by the military authorities that no issues have been encountered with this process.

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