Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 19 Oct 1999

Vol. 509 No. 4

Written Answers. - Defence Forces Reserve.

David Stanton

Question:

47 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Defence if the special study of the Reserve Defence Force announced by him in November 1997 has been completed; if so, if he has received a copy of the study; if he intends to publish the study; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20584/99]

Jimmy Deenihan

Question:

80 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Defence when he will receive the report on the Reserve Defence Force; and the progress to date. [20552/99]

Frances Fitzgerald

Question:

140 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Defence when he will receive the report on the Reserve Defence Force; and the progress to date. [20526/99]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 44, 47, 80 and 140 together.

The Defence Forces review implementation plan (1996-1998), which was approved by Government in March 1996, provides for a special study of the Reserve Defence Force, which consists of the first line reserve made up of former members of the Permanent Defence Force, An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil and An Slua Muirí, to be undertaken during the lifetime of the plan. Accordingly, in November 1997 I announced the setting up of a joint civilian-military steering group to carry out this examination. As part of the examination process, the chief of staff established a military board to conduct a study of the reserve. Part of the function of the steering group was to oversee and guide the military board in its task. The steering group recently completed its examination and submitted a draft report which I am currently in the process of examining. As indicated previously I plan to publish the steering group report in due course.

However, pending completion of consideration of the draft report I do not intend to make any comment on the findings or recommendations contained in the report.

I am satisfied that an in-depth study of the reserve has now been undertaken involving a considerable amount of work by both the military board and the steering group. The military board, as part of its task sought the views of the membership on the future organisation and structure of the reserve. From the outset there was ongoing liaison between the steering group and the military board and meetings of the steering group were attended in part by either the chairman or the secretary of the military board who kept the group well briefed on the board's progress. The steering group also advised the military board regarding aspects of the reserve that should be examined or that should be looked at in greater depth by the military board.

The steering group met with each of the Permanent Defence Force representative associations, who made presentations to the group regarding their areas of concern, and it met on three occasions with the Reserve Defence Force Representative Association which also made presentations to the group.