Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 350: To ask the Minister for Defence the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 10 was allowed to pass out, was obliged to pay for the cost of the ceremony, was not informed sooner of the decision and was allocated duties even though they were not being accepted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35805/07]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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Under the provisions of paragraph 22 of Defence Force Regulations A 10, a recruit is on probation until the end of his / her training, when each recruit's final suitability to become a soldier is assessed. A recruit may not be finally approved unless he/she is considered suitable in all respects for service in the Permanent Defence Force. This person participated in the training process and undertook Regimental Duties as part of his recruit training. He had been made aware on several occasions during his training that his performance was not meeting the required standards. At the completion of his probationary period he was not finally approved and, accordingly, was not passed out.

I am advised that the person concerned, as a member of No 15 Recruit Platoon, was asked by his fellow recruits to contribute to a Platoon Fund to help finance an unofficial function organised by the recruits in a local hotel after the official passing out ceremony. I am further advised that he has been reimbursed all the monies he contributed to this fund and has furnished a receipt to confirm same.