Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Some years ago, there was a change in the pensions available to members of the Defence Forces so that, for instance, a member of the Defence Forces was no longer entitled to a pension at 42 years after there had been a public outcry, and all that goes with it. Has that been a factor in people leaving the Defence Forces and having to make provision in the private sector?

Among the different branches of the Defence Forces, which has the greatest dearth of applicants? Is it the Army, the Naval Service or the Air Corps? What are the opportunities available for promotion for men and women in those grades?

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