271 Mr. Hilliard asked the Minister for Defence the reason candidates for the 1997 FCA officer course were not notified of the change in policy in the Southern Command which resulted in the military authorities not permitting them to be interviewed for the available places; the exact criteria used to select candidates during the interview process; and the reason this is not published. [7447/97]

Defence Force Regulations prescribe the conditions governing the eligibility of non-commissioned officers of An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil for nomination to be appointed officers of An Fórsa.

There has been no policy change in the selection of non-commissioned officers of the FCA to attend Potential Officer Courses. Usually, in nominating personnel for consideration to attend these courses priority is given to personnel serving in units where officer vacancies exist. Persons selected for attendance at the courses are required, inter alia, to be of good character, to have a satisfactory standard of education and to have shown exceptional keenness and efficiency.