asked the Minister for Defence if the recent promotions of officers attached to the Army Equitation School were on the basis of the recommendation of the Chief of Staff and in order of seniority; and the reason for the promotions.

The promotions referred to were made in accordance with the relevant Defence Force Regulations. These Regulations provide that the Minister may, having considered such recommendations as may be made by the Chief of Staff, promote an officer from one rank to the next higher rank.

The higher ranks involved, which are supernumerary to Establishments, derive from a restructuring, at present in progress, of the Army Equitation School while at the same time giving tangible recognition of the successes of the School in recent times.

The Taoiseach has indicated that they are supernumerary to the officer corps. Could the Taoiseach say what corps will bear the strength of these offices and will the promotions effected be of suitably qualified candidate officers for advancement in those corps?

No. They will not have any effect on other promotions. As the Deputy is probably aware, the Equitation School is under the Supply and Transport Corps and the officers promoted in two cases completed the Command and Staff course and in the other case the officer promoted had completed the normal course for platoon commander appropriate to his rank. The position at the moment is that for some years the Equitation School has had a civilian instructor. He has intimated that he wants to leave that position and it was decided that Army instructors would be available to replace him so that the corps would not be dependent on civilian instructors. The instructor has decided to return to the United States.

Are we to take it then that they will remain on the strength of the Equitation School and will not be borne on the strength of any particular corps? They will remain supernumerary to the officer corps strength?

So far as I know, they remain on the Equitation School strength.

Are these promotions a prelude to further promotion to the rank of colonel of serving officers in the Equitation School?

Not that I am aware of.