84 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Defence the number of personnel in each Army band; his plans for the future development of Army bands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4663/02]

In the context of the reorganisation of the Defence Forces under the 1996 Defence Forces review implementation plan, I approved a proposal from the military authorities that the military band at the Curragh should be amalgamated with the band of the eastern brigade, the Army No. 1 Band. The amalgamation of these two bands does not involve any reduction in the overall number of musicians within the school of music as already provided for within the Defence Forces review implementation plan approved by the previous Government.