John Browne
Question:147 Mr. Browne (Carlow-Kilkenny) asked the Minister for Defence the composition of the proposed reserve anti-aircraft batteries in each of the three Reserve Artillery Regiments. [15084/01]
Written Answers. - Defence Forces Reserve.
The overall strategy for the future development of the Reserve Defence Force will be based on the report of the special steering group, which I established in January 1998. That group, which met each of the Permanent Defence Force representative associations and met on three occasions with the Reserve Defence Force Representative Association, RDFRA, reported in September 1999. A thorough, comprehensive and indepth study of the Reserve was undertaken, involving a very considerable amount of work both by a military board, established by the then Chief of Staff, and latterly by the steering group itself.
I formally launched the steering group report in November 2000 at a special briefing for the southern region in Thurles organised by the military authorities for serving members of the Reserve. A similar briefing for the western region took place in Athlone in December 2000. A third briefing was held in Dublin in December 2000. I am pleased that the various recommendations contained in the steering group report have been broadly accepted as providing a general foundation on which the development of the Reserve Defence Force can proceed in the future.
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. Under the aegis of this board, structures have been put in place in each brigade and in the Naval Service to facilitate consultation with Reserve Defence Force 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. I am further advised by the military authorities that it is anticipated that the board will submit its report to the chief of staff by the end of the year.
The White Paper on Defence recognised that a notable and important feature of the existing FCA organisation is its countrywide, geographical spread. This 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 be determined in the course of a 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 implementation of the structural and organisational changes will require about six years to bring to completion. The military authorities will consider and recommend detailed proposals for the restructuring of Reserve units within each brigade area and in the Naval Service.
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 the artillery regiments.