Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Defence further to parliamentary question No. 443 of 2 October 2012, the reason one officer was promoted in advance of the remaining 34; the date he expects the remainder to be promoted; and the reason it took 12 months to process his instruction. [43353/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I am informed by the military authorities that the officer who was promoted in advance of the other thirty four was serving in a small unit with a small number of candidates for the position. This allowed the Promotion Board to complete its work quickly. The military authorities have informed me that there are a number of factors as to why some Promotion Boards are ongoing. These factors include the availability of suitable personnel to sit on the Promotion Boards, the mandatory training requirement for all personnel sitting on the Boards and the fact that some members of the promotion Boards changed due to operational requirements, including overseas service, thus requiring the reconvening of certain Boards.

The military authorities expect that further vacancies will be filled over the coming weeks. However the Deputy should bear in mind that the value for money report on the RDF is expected to be completed shortly and that future decisions on promotions will have to reflect any relevant recommendations that this report may contain.