John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 112: To ask the Minister for Defence the full complement of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11827/06]

Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
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Question 123: To ask the Minister for Defence the strength of the Defence Forces and Reserve Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11835/06]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 112 and 123 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. 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 the level set out in the White Paper as required to meet military needs. The Defence Forces continue to have a proactive approach to all aspects of recruiting.

The strength of the Permanent Defence Force and the Reserve Defence Force, as advised by the military authorities, is provided in the following tabular statement. The figures provided are as at 28 February 2006.