Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 22 Apr 1998

Vol. 489 No. 7

Written Answers. - Reserve Defence Forces.

Michael Bell

Question:

126 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Defence if he will consider the inclusion of a second FCA officer on the ministerial review committee of the FCA to ensure the widest possible focus on the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9318/98]

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

140 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Defence the number of times the review body of the FCA, as set up by Chief of Staff, has met; when it is expected the review will be completed; if he has satisfied himself that FCA personnel have only a consultative voice on this body ; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9320/98]

David Stanton

Question:

160 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Defence the arrangements, if any, he proposes to take to ensure that the FCA will remain a functional organisation in the interim in view of the reductions in PDF cadre attached to the FCA, the dramatic falloff in recruitment of FCA personnel and the fact that reorganisation of the Reserve is three to four years away. [9553/98]

David Stanton

Question:

161 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Defence if it is official policy to run down the FCA in the period leading up to reorganisation to facilitate the creation of new reserve structures. [9554/98]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 126, 140, 160 and 161 together.

In October 1997, the Chief of Staff established a military review board to conduct a special study of the Reserve Defence Force. This board is required to consult with a consultative group made up of members of the Reserve Defence Force. The members of this consultative group comprise commissioned and non-commissioned officers from the four Commands and from the Slua Muirí. Normally, this board meets once weekly, and to date it has held over 22 meetings.

The joint military-civilian steering group which I set up recently to oversee the study of the Reserve Defence Force has held four meetings to date. The membership of the group comprises an independent chairman, three senior military officers, three senior civil servants from my Department and a serving FCA officer. I am satisfied with the composition of the steering group and can see no requirement for the addition of a second FCA officer. The military board is required to consult with a consultative group made up of commissioned and non-commissioned reserve officers from the four Commands and from the Slua Muirí. The views of the members of the Reserve on its future organisation and structure have been sought and submissions from them have been invited.

The steering group has invited the three Defence Force representative associations — RACO, PDFORRA and RDFRA — to make presentations to it, and I understand that these will take place over the next couple of months. Consequently, I am satisfied that members of the Reserve Defence Force, and their representative association are being consulted adequately during the review process. 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. 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.