Liam Burke
Question:33 Mr. L. Burke asked the Minister for Defence if he has received the report on the review of the Reserve Defence Force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26309/99]
Written Answers. - Defence Forces Reserve.
Question:
39 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Defence the proposals, if any, he has to allow members of the FCA to serve abroad in peacekeeping operations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26199/99]
David Stanton
Question:51 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Defence his views on the future of the Reserve Defence Force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26308/99]
Deirdre Clune
Question:58 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Defence when he will publish the report on the Reserve Defence Forces. [26294/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 33, 39, 51 and 58 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. 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.
I am satisfied that an indepth 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 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.
The question of members of the FCA undertaking overseas service with units of the Permanent Defence Force is one of the aspects of reserve service that was examined by the study groups. General criteria governing selection for overseas service come within the scope of representation. Any matters relating to overseas service by members of the reserve which come within the scope of representation will be raised with the associations at the appropriate forum.