Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 25 Feb 1998

Vol. 487 No. 7

Written Answers. - Defence Forces Review.

David Stanton

Question:

43 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Defence if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 14 of 17 December 1997, he has finalised his deliberations on the constitution of the joint military and civilian Reserve Defence Force review group; the persons selected to participate in the group; the way in which the consultative group, which he referred to in his verbal reply, will be constituted; the working arrangements which apply to both; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5004/98]

Ulick Burke

Question:

52 Mr. U. Burke asked the Minister for Defence if he intends to direct the military authorities to include any FCA officers on the military side of the joint military and civilian reserve force study group recently announced. [5039/98]

Donal Carey

Question:

66 Mr. D. Carey asked the Minister for Defence if he intends to direct the military authorities to include any FCA officers on the military side of the joint military and civilian reserve force study group recently announced. [5040/98]

Liam Burke

Question:

79 Mr. L. Burke asked the Minister for Defence if he intends to direct the military authorities to include any FCA officers on the military side of the joint military and civilian reserve force study group recently announced. [5038/98]

John Browne

Question:

107 Mr. Browne (Carlow-Kilkenny) asked the Minister for Defence the studies, if any, of the Reserve Forces under way; if so, the persons undertaking these studies; the reservists, if any, who are included among them; the terms of reference of these studies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5008/98]

John Bruton

Question:

113 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Defence the studies, if any, of the Reserve Forces under way; if so, the persons undertaking these studies; the reservists, if any, who are included among them; the terms of reference of these studies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5009/98]

Paul Bradford

Question:

117 Mr. Bradford asked the Minister for Defence if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 14 of 17 December 1997, he has finalised his deliberations on the constitution of the joint military and civilian Reserve Defence Force review group; the persons selected to participate on the group; the way in which the consultative group will be constituted; the working arrangements which apply to both; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5005/98]

David Stanton

Question:

133 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Defence if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 14 of 17 December 1997, he has finalised his deliberations on the constitution of the joint military and civilian Reserve Defence Force review group; the persons selected to participate on the group; the way in which the consultative group will be constituted; the working arrangements which apply to both; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5002/98]

Richard Bruton

Question:

137 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Defence the studies, if any, of the Reserve Forces under way; if so, the persons undertaking these studies; the reservists, if any, who are included among them; the terms of reference of these studies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5011/98]

David Stanton

Question:

159 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 14 of 17 December 1997 in relation to the joint military and civilian Reserve Defence Force review group, if he has finalised his deliberations on the constitution of that group; the persons selected to participate in the group; the way in which the consultative group will be constituted; the working arrangements which will apply to both; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5174/98]

David Stanton

Question:

163 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Defence the studies, if any, of the Reserve Forces under way; the individuals undertaking these studies; the reservists, if any, included among them; the terms of reference of these studies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5178/98]

David Stanton

Question:

164 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Defence if he intends to direct the military authorities to include FCA officers on the military side of the joint military and civilian Reserve Defence Force study group recently announced. [5179/98]

Martin Brady

Question:

172 Mr. M. Brady asked the Minister for Defence the plans, if any, he has to further strengthen the numbers in the FCA; and the plans, if any, he has for the provision of additional resources and training. [5203/98]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 43, 52, 66, 79, 107, 113, 117, 133, 137, 159, 163, 164 and 172 together.

The membership of the joint military and civilian steering group to oversee the study of the Reserve Defence Force has now been finalised and it has already held its first meeting. The group is comprised of an independent chairman, three senior military officers, three senior civil servants from my Department and a serving FCA officer. In October 1997, the Chief of Staff established a military board to conduct a special study of the Reserve Defence Force. This board is required to consult with a consultative group consisting of members of the Reserve Defence Force. The consultative group, the members of which were nominated by the General Officers Commanding, Commands and the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Service, comprises commissioned and non-commissioned officers from the four Commands and from the Slua Muirí.

Although I have not specified any deadlines in the steering group's terms of reference for the submission of an interim or final report I am confident that the group will conduct the study as quickly as possible and submit its recommendations at the earliest possible date. In that regard I am advised by the military authorities that a considerable amount of preliminary work has already been undertaken by them. For example, military boards have already sought the views of the members of the reserve on its future organisation and structure. The military boards consulted with the members and sought submissions from them. The boards completed this task last year and it is anticipated that the outputs from this work will be of considerable assistance to the steering group in its deliberations. The study of the reserve will be wide-ranging and will examine such matters as the appropriate strengths of the various elements, equipment, training, etc. Pending the completion of the study I do not intend to take any action in the meantime that would in any way pre-empt the recommendations of the steering group.