Willie Penrose (Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 549: To ask the Minister for Defence the steps he is taking to increase the numbers at Columb Barracks, Mullingar, County Westmeath, which in understaffed due to the number of overseas commitments undertaken by personnel from this barracks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40285/06]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The Defence Forces provide military personnel to overseas missions as directed by the Government. There are currently twenty-eight (28) personnel from Columb Barracks, Mullingar serving overseas. This compares with figures of up to forty-two (42) personnel in 2005 and up to fifty-nine (59) personnel in 2004. The 4 Western Brigade is capable of fulfilling all of its domestic responsibilities while continuing to support and to participate in the Defence Forces overseas commitments. In conjunction with the policy of ongoing recruitment to the Defence Forces, Columb Barracks receives newly trained recruits as necessary.