David Stanton
Question:112 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Defence the plans, if any, for the future of the Reserve Defence Force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8702/00]
Written Answers. - Defence Forces Reserve.
Michael Bell
Question:141 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Defence his views on whether the proposed cut of 20% in the overall establishment of An Slua Muirí is justified in view of the fact the current establishment figure is below 500; the plans, if any, he has to recruit personnel for An Slua Muirí; if he will consider the relocation of a unit of An Slua Muirí to Drogheda; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8794/00]
Phil Hogan
Question:142 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Defence when the review of the Reserve Defence Force will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8787/00]
Jim O'Keeffe
Question:155 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Defence the situation regarding the future of the FCÁ under the new proposals for the Defence Forces. [8780/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 112, 141, 142 and 155 together.
The overall strategy for the development of the Reserve Defence Force is based on the report of a special steering group established by me in January 1998. The group produced its report in September 1999, and the recommendations contained in the report have been accepted as a general basis on which the development of the Reserve Defence Force can proceed. As I have indicated previously I plan to publish the steering group report in due course.
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.
As indicated in the White Paper on Defence, which was approved by Government on 20 February, An Slua Muirí will be developed to improve the capacity of members to provide a genuine naval reserve capacity based on a revised overall strength of up to 400 personnel and as a rationalisation measure it has been decided to amalgamate the two Dublin based companies of An Slua Muirí. It is not proposed to relocate a unit of An Slua Muirí to Drogheda.