Vol. 516 No. 1
52 Mr. Farrelly asked the Minister for Defence the consideration, if any, being given to the development of a naval reserve unit in Drogheda, County Louth, in view of the fact that the original proposal put forward in 1993 is not now the desired location; if the Drogheda and east Meath areas will be the focus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7159/00]
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, I set up a joint civilian-military steering group to carry out this examination. Also, 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.
In 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 any of the findings or recommendations contained in the report.
