Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 562: To ask the Minister for Defence his proposals to remedy the ongoing delay in filling officer appointments in the Reserve Defence Forces; his views on the effect on officer morale; and the action he proposes to take to compensate officers who should have been promoted and who will be disadvantaged for further promotion based on time served in current rank. [3497/07]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The military authorities have advised that an Administrative Instruction providing for promotion from the rank of Captain (Army Reserve)/Lieutenant (Naval Service Reserve) to Commandant (Army Reserve)/Lieutenant Commander (Naval Service Reserve) is expected to be approved in the immediate future.

This Administrative Instruction incorporates best contemporary practice and procedures and reflects, in so far as possible, the comparable procedures currently in place in the Permanent Defence Force. Promotion Boards have undergone formal training and it is intended to commence promotion competitions no later than April 2007.

It is expected that these new procedures, which reflect best contemporary practice, and the holding of competitions will impact positively on the morale of officers. Any delay in the filling of appointments has been a consequence of preparing the necessary changes to procedures as outlined above.

Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 563: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of officers promoted to fill vacancies in the Reserve Defence Forces to date, since its formation on 1 October 2005, by rank and formation. [3498/07]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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There have been five (5) officers promoted to fill vacancies in the Reserve Defence Force in the period from 1 October, 2005 to date. The promotions, by rank and formation, are outlined in the following tabular statement.