Army and Navy Recruitment
The Minister said recruitment is kept under review, with no date set for another general intake; 400 recruits had recently been taken, some for naval service. He considered the Naval Service adequately staffed and equipped but agreed to examine its position.
asked the Minister for Defence the arrangements which are being made for recruitment to the Army and Navy for 1988.
59.
Comment on this
asked the Minister for Defence when the next recruitment to the Army will take place.
Comment on this
Limerick West): I propose to take Questions Nos. 2 and 59 together.
Recruitment to the Permanent Defence Force is constantly kept under review having regard to current strengths and commitments. It is not possible at this stage to say when the next intake of recruits for general service will take place.
Comment on this
In view of the uncertainty and unrest in the country it is essential to have further recruitment to the Army and the Navy, and more especially to the Navy who are not fully equipped to guard our coastline.
Comment on this
(Limerick West): I have recently taken on 400 recruits for general service and some of those will go to the Naval Service. As the Deputy knows, since 1981 general recruitment has been suspended but there is a special intake of recruits to meet essential needs from time to time.
Comment on this
In view of what happened along our coastline with regard to the importation of arms and in view of the fact that no recruitment to the Navy was made this year, will the Minister examine the Naval Service to ensure that they are fully equipped to meet a similar challenge in the future?