1,000 personnel seek retirement

ALMOST 1,000 Defence Forces personnel have applied for early retirement under the scheme which is part of the 10 year reform plan for the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps.

The Minister for Defence, Mr Barrett, told the Dail's Legislation and Security Committee that 2,300 voluntary retirements were being sought along with the recruitment of 1,000 younger personnel. Some 450 personnel are expected to leave the services this year and 200 new service personnel will be recruited. About 900 staff are expected to leave in 1997 and a similar number in 1998.

The Minister rejected suggestions from the Fianna Fail spokesman on defence, Mr Michael Smith, and Mr Sean Power (FF, Kildare) that Army personnel felt that those who did not opt for early retirement would be dismissed at a later stage.

He said that "nobody is going to be pushed out." If they wanted to stay on "they are entitled to do so." He reiterated that there would be no reduction in the number of Army bands and that the Equitation School would not be closed or downgraded.

A former Minister for Defence, Mr Bobby Molloy (PD, Galway West) demanded a full Dail debate on the future of the Defence Forces. "Our Naval Service is more of a coast guard operation," he said. "Our Army is small and about to get smaller. Our Air, Corps has a limited capability. A outside observer would assume that we did not take our defence seriously."

The committee was disc Defence Forces estimates for Some of the statistics that emerged, included.

The English company which won the contract to provide an "air taxi" for Ireland's presidency off the EU is expected to be paid £250,000. Mr Barrett said the British price was 30 per cent cheaper than the Irish offer. Total "air support" for the presidency will cost about £550,000.

. Irish banks paid the Defence Forces and Garda £3 million last year for cash security escorts.

. About four people bought their way out of the Defence Forces last year at a total cost of £25,000.

. Ireland received £4.5 million last year from the United Nations but is still owed £13 million.

. This year 196 veterans of the War of Independence, which ended in 1921, will receive special, allowances.

. Army personnel receive between £42 and £48 weekly for Border duty allowances. This works out at between £2,269 and £2,510 annually. All Army personnel receive the allowance and not just those on Border duty.