asked the Minister for Defence if recent reports, which indicate that almost 20 per cent of the trained helicopter pilots in the Air Corps are seeking to resign, are true; and if it indicates a collapse of morale in the Army.

6.

asked the Minister for Defence the total number of Air Corps pilots who have submitted requests to retire or resign their commissions to take up positions with commercial airlines; the percentge of the operationally active pilots in the Air Corps which this represents; the number of Air Corps pilots who have retired or resigned their commissions over the past five years; in view of the public money spent in training Air Corps pilots the measures which are being taken to ensure that their expertise is not lost to the Air Corps; if he has satisfied himself that the present level of remuneration for Air Corps pilots is adequate; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 4 and 6 together.

The total number of pilot officers in the Air Corps is 76. The total number of operationally active pilot officers is 61. Applications for permission to retire from the Permanent Defence Force from 12 of these officers — four of whom are helicopter pilots — are under consideration. This represents 20 per cent of operationally active pilot officers. There have been no applications to resign from the Air Corps.

The Minister has not said whether he is concerned or whether the Air Corps are concerned about this brain drain, or flight from the Air Corps. It should be a matter of concern to the Minister. Has the Minister considered whether the pay levels are at a sufficient rate to keep the pilots in the Air Corps?

The remuneration of all members of the Permanent Defence Force, including pilots, has been kept in line with wage and salary movements in the public service generally. The Minister is satisfied with the level of morale in the Permanent Defence Force. As the Deputy is probably aware, permission is required from the Minister for an officer to retire. The applications I have already mentioned are at present under consideration by the Minister. The Minister is satisfied with morale in the Permanent Defence Force and is satisfied that salary and remuneration in the Permanent Defence Force, including pilots, is kept in line with movements in wages and salaries in the public service generally.

Would the Minister agree that forcing pilots to remain in the Air Corps against their will will not make for happy relations in the Air Corps and that it must be damaging to morale?

Since January 1983 to date, 13 pilot officers have been granted permission to retire. One pilot officer retired on age grounds and there have been no resignations. In reaching decisions on these applications the Minister takes into account the position of the service. Deputies will be aware that most of the officers hold important appointments in relation to ministerial air transport service, rescue service and maritime patrol service. All these things have to be taken into account before any decision can be taken on an individual application.

Do I take it then that it is official policy not to hold persons such as pilots against their will?

Yes. The Defence Act, 1984, sets out very clearly that an officer must have the permission of the Minister to retire and the Minister takes all these things into consideration before making a decision.