Written Answers - Defence Forces Reserve.
Jimmy Deenihan
Question:
58
Mr. Deenihan
asked the
Minister for Defence
when he expects the director of reserve forces to bring forward specific proposals as outlined in the White Paper on Defence regarding the integration role of the re-organised Slua Muirí; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[13728/00]
Frances Fitzgerald
Question:
97
Ms Fitzgerald
asked the
Minister for Defence
the impact of the recommended changes on the location of personnel in the FCA; the numbers of personnel who will be asked to re-locate; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[13700/00]
David Stanton
Question:
110
Mr. Stanton
asked the
Minister for Defence
his plans regarding the operation of the Integrated Reserve as proposed in the recently published White Paper on Defence; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[13726/00]
I propose to take Questions No. 58, 97 and 110 together.
The overall strategy for the development of the Defence Forces Reserve 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 Defence Forces Reserve 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 a military board which was set up by the chief of staff 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 capability based on a revised overall strength of up to 400 personnel. As a rationalisation measure the two Dublin based companies of An Slua Muirí will be amalgamated. The Naval Service, in conjunction with the director of reserve forces, will formulate specific proposals to develop an integration role for the re-organised An Slua Muirí and I am advised by the military authorities that with that in mind a process of briefings and visits to the various companies of An Slua has already commenced.
The recent White Paper on Defence recognised that a feature of the existing FCA organisation is that it has a country-wide geographical spread which will in general be retained. The full organisational and establishment details of the new reserve force will be determined in the implementation process which will consist of the development of a Defence Forces Reserve review implementation plan based on the steering group's report. The implementation of the structural and reorganisation changes will take place over a period of six years. There will be a requirement for the military authorities to consider and recommend detailed proposals for the restructuring of reserve units within each brigade area and I am advised by the military authorities that such proposals are being drawn up at present.
The blueprint for the new Defence Forces Reserve will involve replacing An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil with an Army reserve which will consist of two elements. One element will provide personnel who will integrate with Permanent Defence Force units to bring them up to full operational strength in a contingency situation. Personnel who opt for a period of integrated service will be provided with enhanced military training and career development opportunities and will be provided with appropriate equipment. The other element will provide the overall army reserve, will be organised into three brigades and the personnel will be trained on standard military lines.
