Vol. 530 No. 5
79 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Defence if he will give assurance that C company headquarters of the 19th infantry battalion will not be relocated out of Sligo town; the discussions he has had to ensure that it will be retained in Sligo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4300/01]
The recent White Paper on Defence, which was approved by Government on 20 February 2000, recognised that a feature of the existing FCA organisation is that it has a country-wide geographical spread which will, in general, be retained. In that context the Deputy will be aware that, under the Defence Forces review implementation plan, the Permanent Defence Force is now organised into a new three-brigade structure and the Defence Forces training centre, which is located in the Curragh. The Reserve Defence Force will be similarly reorganised and restructured and it is envisaged that the implementation of these changes will take place over a period of approximately six years.
I am advised by the military authorities that a board has been set up at Defence Forces headquarters to formulate specific plans for the implementation of the recommendations of the steering group which I set up to undertake a study of the reserve. Under the aegis of this board, structures have been put in place in each brigade and in the Naval Service to facilitate consultation with FCA and Slua Muirí personnel throughout the country. Given the dependence of the reserve on voluntary service, I was anxious that there should be an ongoing process of consultation before proposals are finalised. The military authorities have now started upon that process by way of the series of three preliminary regional briefings late last year and by the launch of the steering group report.
Accordingly, pending completion of the Reserve Defence Force review implementation plan it would be inappropriate for me to comment on any aspect of the reorganisation and restructuring of the reserve, including C company headquarters of the 19th infantry battalion.
