Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 1266: To ask the Minister for Defence the position regarding Army numbers and further recruitments for 2005. [34581/04]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 1289: To ask the Minister for Defence if the current strength of the Defence Forces is adequate to meet all eventualities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2008/05]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 1290: To ask the Minister for Defence if he intends to increase the strength of the Army, Naval Service or Air Corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2009/05]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1266, 1289 and 1290 together.

The White Paper on Defence of February 2000 sets out a figure of 10,500 personnel for the Permanent Defence Force, comprising 930 for the Air Corps, 1,144 for the Naval Service and 8,426 for the Army.

The strength of the Permanent Defence Force (comprising the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service) as of 31 December 2004 was as follows:

In addition, there were 258 recent recruits undergoing training on 31 December 2004. It is my intention to maintain the established Government policy of ongoing recruitment to the Defence Forces. Recruitment into the Permanent Defence Force will continue to maintain the strength at a level required to meet military needs and as set out in the White Paper, which consists of 10,500 Permanent Defence Force in all ranks. The Government remains fully committed to the policy of ongoing recruitment to ensure that an overall PDF strength of 10,500 is maintained.