Ruairí Quinn
Question:18 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Defence if he has any plans to request members of the Reserve Defence Force to take up overseas duties with the United Nations; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - United Nations Duty.
In accordance with section 2 of the Defence (Amendment) (No. 2) Act, 1960, only contingents of the Permanent Defence Forces may be despatched for service outside the State as part of an international United Nations force. In the circumstances, members of the Reserve Defence Force are not eligible for overseas service with a United Nations force.
While that is the present situation, is the Minister aware that other nations, both large and small use their reserve forces on UN duties? Does the Minister accept there are grounds for examining this proposal because it would provide greater experience for members of the Reserve Defence Forces which would be invaluable when they returned from overseas service?
As I have said already, the Defence (Amendment) (No. 2) Act provides for the despatch of contingents of the Permanent Defence Forces for service outside the State as part of an international United Nations force. Members of the Reserve Defence Forces are precluded under the existing legislation and at this stage there is no proposal to amend legislation to provide for that.
It is fair to point out that the military authorities have more than enough volunteers from the Permanent Defence Forces to meet the demand of the overseas requirement.
Is the Minister aware that some unemployed people who are members of the FCA at present would be anxious to serve overseas, and in the light of the current unemployment figures would the Minister not see fit to consider the introduction of amending legislation to allow members of the Reserve Defence Force to get involved in overseas service?
In view of the fact that at present we have more than sufficient volunteers from the Permanent Defence Forces to meet any United Nations requirement as demanded, I do not think it appropriate at this stage to examine that proposition which would mean introducing new legislation.