Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 30 Nov 1999

Vol. 511 No. 6

Written Answers. - Defence Forces Reserve.

Bernard Allen

Question:

170 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Defence the dates on which he received the final reports of the review of the Reserve Defence Forces from the board convened by the Chief of Staff and the steering group; the alternative proposals, if any, made to the military report by the steering group; the procedures which will follow on receipt of these reports; and the timeframe in this regard. [25264/99]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

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 Forces, 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.

Military boards are convened from time to time by the chief of staff to examine and report to him on various military matters and reports of such boards are not published. Accordingly, the military authorities do not propose to publish the final report of the military board convened by the chief of staff to conduct the study of the reserve. In May 1999 the military board presented a copy of its final report to the steering group for consideration. On 2 September 1999 when the steering group had completed its review of the reserve, including consideration of the military board report, it submitted to me a draft report which I am currently in the process of examining.

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, or on the procedures that will be necessary to implement such findings or recommendations. As I have indicated previously, I plan to publish the steering group report in due course.

Bernard Allen

Question:

171 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Defence the amount of all payments, other than salary, made in relation to the study into the Reserve Defence Forces; and the individuals who received payment. [25265/99]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

Excluding salaries, a total of £29,509.53 was paid in relation to the study of the Reserve Defence Forces.

This amount was paid to staff relation services in respect of Mr. Dermot Rochford, who acted as an independent chairman of the steering group for the review from 6 February 1998 to 1 September 1999.

Bernard Allen

Question:

172 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Defence if deductions for rations from members of the FCA, based on marital status, will continue in view of the recent equality legislation. [25266/99]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

The arrangements governing the deduction of rations are provided for in Defence Force regulations. Under normal arrangements a marriage certificate is required from a reservist in order to confirm marital status.

However, following consultation with representatives of the personnel of An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil and An Slua Muirí, the Reserve Defence Forces Representative Association was established in July 1992. The association represents its members in discussions with the Department of Defence on matters concerning their remuneration and certain other conditions of service. Rates of allowances, including deductions for rations, come within the scope of representation. Accordingly, this is a matter which comes within the remit of RDFRA and which can be dealt with under the representative arrangements which have been agreed with the association. The subject has been raised by the association, and at a meeting with officials of my Department only last week, it was indicated to the association that the examination of the existing arrangements was nearing completion. I hope to be in a position to finalise the matter shortly.

Bernard Allen

Question:

173 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Defence the number of FCA personnel recruited and discharged by command from 1 February 1999 to 31 October 1999; and the effective strength on these dates. [25267/99]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

The military authorities advise that the statistics sought are as shown in the following tables.

FCA Recruits – Discharges February-October 1999.

2 E Brigade FCA			1 S Brigade FCA			4 W Brigade FCA			Defence Forces Training Centre FCA
Recruits	Discharges	Recruits	Discharges	Recruits	Discharges	Recruits	Discharges
290	155	398	507	357	456	181	155

Effective Strength An FCA February – October 1999.

	2 E Brigade FCA	1 S Brigade FCA	4 W Brigade FCA	Defence ForcesTraining Centre FCA	Total
February 1999	1,970	5,131	4,934	1,574	13,609
October 1999	2,174	5,002	4,824	1,604	13,604