Ivor Callely
Question:191 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Defence the departments or sections of the Defence Forces which are under consideration by his office for alteration or closing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10237/97]
Written Answers. - Defences Forces Re-structuring.
The Defence Forces Review Implementation Plan, which was approved by the Government in March 1996, sets out the measures which will be undertaken during the years 1996 to 1998 to restructure and reorganise the Defence Forces.
The overall objective of the implementation plan is to create more efficient, well structured and better organised Defence Forces capable of fulfilling the roles which were redefined by the Government in 1993. In doing that the issues identified in the course of the examination of the organisation such as the high age profile problem, inadequate collective training, excessive numbers in civilian-type jobs and the serious imbalance between pay and non-pay spending are being tackled. When the revised organisation is in place there will be a three brigade structure of 11,500 all ranks which will be better trained and equipped to carry out its operational tasks.
The impact of the implementation plan on particular units of the Defence Forces will be addressed gradually as the plan progresses. Any reforms will be implemented in a planned and sensitive manner and there will be consultations with the representative associations in accordance with the agreed system of representation.