David Stanton
Question:114 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Defence the progress made to prepare members of the Reserve Defence Force to serve overseas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22965/00]
Written Answers. - Defence Forces Reserve.
Jim O'Keeffe
Question:119 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Defence the present plans for the future of the FCA giving details of the brigade and battalion structure proposed; the support which will be provided from the Permanent Defence Force; and when any new arrangements will come into operation. [22937/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 114 and 119 together.
The overall strategy for the future development of the Reserve Defence Force will be based upon the report of the special steering group, which I established in January 1998. That group produced its report in September 1999. The various recommendations contained in its report have been accepted as providing a general foundation on which the development of the Reserve Defence Force can proceed in the future. I am satisfied that a very thorough, comprehensive and indepth study of the reserve has now been undertaken involving a very considerable amount of work undertaken both by the original military board, which was established by the then chief of staff, and latterly by the steering group itself.
Throughout the course of their respective deliberations, there was a close ongoing constructive relationship between the military board and the steering group, who kept each other closely briefed on progress and developments.
The steering group met with each of the Permanent Defence Force representative associations and those associations made presentations to the group regarding their own specific areas of concern. The steering group also met on three occasions with the Reserve Defence Force Representative Association, RDFRA, which also made presentations to the group.
The White Paper on Defence recognised that a notable and important feature of the existing FCA organisation is that it has a countrywide geographical spread. This particular aspect will, in general terms, be retained in the future. The full organisational and establishment details of the new Reserve Force as envisaged by the steering group will have to be determined in the course of the actual detailed implementation process. That process will comprehend the drafting and development of a Reserve Defence Force review implementation plan, which will be based on the steering group's report. The actual implementation of the structural and reorganisation changes, on the ground, will require a period of about six years to bring to completion. This detailed process will require the military authorities to consider and to bring forward recommendations and detailed proposals for the restructuring of local reserve units within each of the Army Brigade areas. The military authorities are preparing these proposals at the moment.
I am anxious, given the dependence of the reserves on voluntary service, that there should be a further process of consultation before these proposals are finalised. The military authorities are now developing a proposal in this regard. I envisage linking publication of the steering group report to the launch of this process.
As indicated in the White Paper, one important change recommended by the study of the reserve is that in future members of the reserve should be considered for participation in overseas peace support missions, subject of course to appropriate qualifications, availability and advance training. Service by comparable reservists on overseas peace support missions by other countries is quite common. However, the general criteria governing selection for overseas service are issues within the scope of representation. Therefore, any matters relating to proposals for future overseas service by members of the reserve, which come within the scope of representation, will be raised with the representative associations at the appropriate forum. In addition, the question of the security of civilian employment, for those members of the reserve who may wish to serve overseas, will have to be considered as part of the implementation process.
In order that senior Reserve Defence Force officers can serve and influence reserve activities at the highest level in Brigade headquarters and the Defence Forces training centre, the steering group recommended the creation of four new Lieutenant-Colonel appointments within the reserve. It is intended that these appointments will form part of the integrated element of the reserve and personnel appointed to these appointments would hold them for the duration of their integrated service. While the mechanism for appointing personnel to these appointments has not yet been established it will form another part of the implementation process.
In general terms, the blueprint for the new Reserve Defence Force 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.
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 reorganised An Slua Muirí.
Finally, one should really emphasise that the steering group were particularly mindful of the need to preserve and to retain the very many traditional and well established strengths of the current reserve system, not least the admirable spirit of individual voluntary commitment, close social links with local communities and a good depth and scope as regards nationwide geographical spread.