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MINISTER ALAN SHATTER has confirmed that general service recruitment for the Defence Forces will begin in March with some 264 vacancies in the force in total.
In response to a number of parliamentary questions from TD Bernard J Durkan, Shatter said the strength of the permanent defence force at the end of 2013 was 9,236, comprising 7,434 army, 779 air corps and 1,023 naval service personnel. In total, force strength should be at 9,500.
The minister said that promotions will be made this year in order to fill some rank vacancies and that there will be a new general service recruitment competition next month.
The table below shows the vacancies in each rank, with most vacant positions in the corporal, sergeant and captain ranks.
Click here if you have trouble viewing this table
Despite the vacancies, Shatter said that “no specific weaknesses” in the force have been brought to his attention.
“I am satisfied that the required operational strength and command structures of the army, navy and air corps remain adequate at all installations throughout the country,” he said.
He also said he was satisfied that personnel have the most modern and effective range of equipment needed to fulfil all roles assigned to them by the government “in any emergency situations that may arise”.
However Shatter said “the fact remains that in the current economic climate, the budgetary situation will continue to dictate the level of funding available for new equipment, training and equipment upgrades”.
“Decisions will be made accordingly on a strictly prioritised basis in accordance with operational priorities with a view to maintaining the capability of all roles assigned by government to the Defence Forces,” he added.
360 new general service recruits entered the Defence Forces at the start of December 2013, following the latest round of hiring. They were chosen from existing competition panels. The new recruitment competition will be advertised on the Defence Forces website when it starts next month.
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If I had a seal his first name would be Ron.
Aside from your suggestion doing exactly what is says on the tin, Rón is also Irish for seal.
I knew that *cough*
There is about 40 or so local seals which are regularly seen by the small beach area not to far from here. Sammy is the only one who seems to know about the free meals on offer from the fishman. I’d say he says to his pals “eh, just popping out to sea for a bit. See you in 5″
That small beach (don’t know what it’s called but have head it called the seal beach) is one of the most beautiful, quiet places I have ever been to. Regularly walk there from the town during good weather and rarely see another soul.
It’s amazingly called the Seal Beach
Jaysus, it is too: http://www.theshortspan.com/guide/wicklowCoast.pdf
No we’re never going to survive,unless we get a little crazy.
Ha, good one
@Ru
Yea Seal was a great singer man.
As cute as Sammy is, I would be afraid for his well being, people should try not to feed him, so as he can be encouraged to go hunt his own food,
Yes. This is very true.
Oh he’ll hint his own food alright. ..food machines them boys
Cute.
Look left, look right, look left again.
So cute I just hope Sammy don’t get run over x
Aw, shuh gawne love him.
In Howth people have been asked to stop feeding the seals. People were throwing all sorts of crap into the water to feed them. The seals were becoming so fat that the poor b* stards could barely raise their heads above the waterline. They were getting heart disease and all. People were throwing singles of chips, burgers and bars of chocolate to them.
Howth also has a seal called Sammy. I think it’s a popular seal name because of a kid’s book. Anyway, I’m not trying to start a seal war but does the Wicklow Sammy have a Facebook page?
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sammy-the-Howth-Harbour-Seal/314679363712
P.S. The fine for feeding the seals in Howth is a massive Euro5,000. It was brought in in 2011. Think it still stands.
He does actually. With more likes then the Howth one!
Right. Well that’s the end of that war
Stop wreckin me buzz, if they eats em I throws em !!
That made me smile :-)
Jesus his break up from Heidi Klum has not been kind to him!
Is this a sealfie……..
Sorry!
Maybe they want to go clubbing!!
Something fishy about this story
@Aidan
Not really Aidan as a seal is in fact a mammal.
I wonder has he any relations in Dáil Éireann
Its only political relation is in the Whitehouse – it’s so special it’s called the Presidential Seal.
Supposed to be one of the most intelligent animals on the planet very high learning curve
Oh and so cute like an Pudgey Dolphin
Please do not feed seals as they get used to human contact and attack swimmers.
Sammy is adorable
Ahhhh tis a fine seal that Sammy one
That’s a lovely story.
It has been reported he never paid his taxes on using the water he lives in. Now he is turning to begging for fish for his dinner out on the streets….. This Government is getting worse.
I’ll never forget field mapping in Wexford and encountering six decapitated seals washed up on the shore over the space of two days near Hook Head. Does anybody know why that happens?
They piss me off, so i get pissed and cut their heads off
And when he finishes his little tour he returns to his natural habitat the open. sea. and not some cheap circus which is willing to exploit him for financial gain..
remember the safe cross code when crossing road sam
Propellers?
have your say