128 Dr. Lee asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí who are due for retirement in (a) 1991, (b) 1992 and (c) 1993.

The number of members of the Garda Síochána who will be required to retire on age grounds during the remainder of 1991 and in 1992 and 1993 are 3, 25 and 299 respectively. The reduced numbers of compulsory retirements in 1991 and 1992 are the result of the temporary extension of the retirement age from 57 to 60 in the case of members of the Garda, sergeant and inspector ranks who are due to reach age 57 in the period to 31 December 1992.