John Gormley
Ceist:218 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Defence if an Irish citizen with an Irish passport cannot join the Irish Reserve Defence Forces if they live in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4372/03]
Written Answers. - Defence Forces Reserve.
I am informed by the military authorities that an applicant for enlistment with the reserve must be ordinarily resident within the State for the purposes of joining the Reserve Defence Force. The relevant Defence Force regulation states that a person ordinarily resident outside the State is ineligible for FCA enlistment. There is a specific provision that a person who is residing temporarily within the State, for the purpose of attending a course of education, and who is ordinarily resident in Ireland, may however be enlisted. I will have these particular provisions examined by the relevant military authorities with a view to an evaluation of their contemporary relevance as regards policy and practical administration. The general residence criterion within the relevant regulations has existed since before World War II.
Noel Grealish
Ceist:219 Mr. Grealish asked the Minister for Defence his plans to withdraw from service the No. 1 Dress Uniform of the Reserve Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4387/03]
I have been advised by the military authorities that there are no currently no plans under consideration to withdraw any item of uniform currently issued to members of the Reserve Defence Forces.