§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Irish citizens have joined(a) the Royal Irish Regiment and (b) the Irish Guards in each of the last five years for which figures are available. [141844]
§ Mr. IngramThe total number of Irish citizens who have joined the Irish Guards in each of the last five years is less than five; the total is less than 10. The total number of Irish citizens who have joined the Royal Irish Regiment in the last five years is 30, with fewer than 10 in each of the last five financial years. All numbers are rounded to the nearest five.
The totals are Irish citizens joining the above named Army units as trained and untrained officers and other ranks in financial years 1998–2003. The nationality is that of nationality at time of recruitment and not necessarily at birth.