Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 72: To ask the Minister for Defence the ratio of officer to non-officers in the Defence Forces over the past ten years and in comparison to other countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33035/07]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I am advised by the military authorities that the ratio of commissioned officers to non-officers in the Defence Forces over the past ten years is as shown in the table.

My Department does not maintain comparative figures in respect of other countries. In any event, comparisons would be complicated by the significant variations in military organisation from country to country.

Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Question 73: To ask the Minister for Defence if the average age of members of the Defence Forces across each rank has fallen or risen over the past ten years; if the trend is the same for commissioned officers, non-commissioned officers and private soldiers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34031/07]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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Details on the average ages, by rank, have been maintained on an annualised basis since 2001. The table provides the details for Officers and Enlisted Personnel.

It can be seen from these figures, that since 2001 there has been a small decrease in the average age of Captains and a similar scale increase in the average age of Privates. These ranks together represent approximately 52% of the overall strength of the PDF.

A key element in military life is the need for personnel to maintain a level of fitness for combat readiness. This requirement must be balanced with the need to retain experience and expertise, particularly at managerial level in the Defence Forces.