With regard to the whole question of recruitment and the inability of the Government to say when and how many recruits will be taken into the Defence Forces, can the Minister advise the House if steps have been taken since previous questions were asked in the House to realistically advise the 8,000 plus persons who are on the waiting lists of their position and their prospects?

(Limerick West): I have taken on 400 recruits in recent times. I am satisfied that meets our needs at the moment.

I accept that but what I am getting at is the position of those thousands of people on the waiting lists who in effect do not have a realistic prospect in the near or not so near future of being taken into the force. Have they been appraised of the facts rather than left hanging around in vain hope? We have been promised this before.

(Limerick West): They were all advised of the position. People were interviewed and recruitment is under constant review. If further recruits are required they will be taken on.