asked the Minister for Defence the plans, if any, that are visualised for the promotion of first line reserve officers and NCOs.

Subject to the provisions of Defence Force Regulations—

1. members of the reserve of officers (first line) may be promoted from the rank of second-lieutenant to lieutenant and from the rank of lieutenant to captain, and

2. members of the reserve of men (first line) may be promoted from the rank of corporal to sergeant and from the rank of sergeant to higher non-commisioned ranks.

How many promotions have taken place in the last five years?

I cannot give the Deputy the information for the past five years but if he will put down a question I will get it for him. I can give him the figures for 1975 and 1976. In 1975, promotions in the reserve of officers were nil and in 1976, one. In 1975 the number of promotions in the reserve of men was one, and in 1976 there was none.

Would the Minister not accept that the whole position in regard to the first line reserve is completely unsatisfactory and would he ensure that something will be done to regularise the entire situation in the matter of promotional opportunities? Some people have served 20 years without promotion.

In the regulations there is provision in regard to promotions of the members of the first line reserve. In regard to the reserve of officers, there is no provision for promotion above the rank of captain. I have no plan under consideration to alter these regulations.

Would the Minister look at the whole question of promotional opportunities in the first line reserve? The position is unsatisfactory and has been over the years.

I will examine the position very carefully but I cannot give the Deputy any undertaking that I will alter the regulations.