Vol. 548 No. 3
33 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Defence the position regarding the possibility of members of the FCA serving overseas; the number of such applications received from FCA per sonnel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4661/02]
47 Mr. McDowell asked the Minister for Defence if there have been developments regarding the possibility of members of the FCA being trained to fly Air Corps aircraft; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4668/02]
76 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Defence the progress regarding the reorganisation of the Reserve Defence Forces; the timescale for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4797/02]
95 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Defence the progress made to date in implementing the recommendations of the 1999 special steering group on the Reserve Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4676/02]
132 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the strength of the Air Corps Reserve; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5019/02]
133 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the strength of the Naval Reserve; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5020/02]
I propose to answer Questions Nos. 33, 47, 76, 95, 132 and 133 together.
As more than three of these questions are oral questions, not more than 18 minutes is allotted.
I am advised by the military authorities that a military board, the Reserve Defence Forces review implementation board, on which the FCA is represented, has been set up at Defence Forces headquarters to formulate specific plans for the implementation of the recommendations of the reserve steering group. I established the special steering group in 1998 to undertake a study of the reserve and the group reported to me in September 1999. Under the aegis of the military 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 advised that the process of formulating revised structures for the Reserve Defence Force is ongoing and the draft Reserve Defence Forces review implementation board report is expected to be submitted to the Chief of Staff shortly.
The Permanent Defence Force is now organised in a three brigade structure and a Defence Forces training centre. The Reserve Defence Force will be similarly reorganised and restructured and it is envisaged that the implementation of these changes in the Reserve Defence Force will take place over a period of approximately six years.
The White Paper on Defence recognised that a notable and important feature of the existing FCA organisation is its 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 will be determined in the course of the ongoing detailed implementation process.
In general terms, the blueprint for the new Reserve Defence Force will involve replacing An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil with an Army reserve consisting 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. The larger element will provide the overall Army reserve, organised into three reserve brigades.
As indicated in the White Paper on Defence, an important change recommended by the study of the reserve is that members of the FCA should be considered for participation in overseas peace support missions subject to suitable qualifications, personal availability and appropriate advance training. Service by reservists on overseas peace support missions in other countries is quite common. General criteria governing selection for overseas service come within the scope of representation, and any matters relating to 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. The question of the security of civilian employment for the members of the reserve who may wish to serve overseas will be considered as part of the implementation process. Accordingly, pending completion of the implementation plan, applications to serve overseas have not been received from members of the reserve.
The report of the special steering group indicated that the existing first line reserve system satisfactorily addresses any Air Corps Reserve aviation requirement. Former Air Corps personnel who volunteer for service on the first line reserve or who have a first line reserve commitment should be attached to an appropriate unit of the Air Corps. The steering group did not recommend that any special reserve unit or formation be established specifically for the Air Corps. The question of aviation training for members of the general Army Reserve should not therefore arise.
The current strength of the Naval Service Reserve, An Slua Muirí, is 25 officers, 42 non-commissioned officers and 108 seamen.
In order that senior Reserve Defence Force officers can participate in the planning and management of reserve activities at the highest level in brigade headquarters and the Defence Forces training centre, the steering group recommended the creation of four new lieutenent-colonel appointments. 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 part of the implementation process also.
The steering group was particularly mindful of the need to preserve and 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.
Does the Minister agree that the plans for the future of the reserve have been ongoing for a number of years? Can he tell the House when we might see the implementation of these plans? Can he tell people who are serving in the reserve when they might see integration happening?
There are a number of aspects to the reorganisation of the Reserve Defence Forces. The implementation plan will be spread over a six year period. I expect to have the plan by the end of this year. In the interim, equipment, accommodation, Steyr rifles, uniforms and so on are being provided. The new uniforms for a number of FCA members will be available by St. Patrick's Day this year and the Steyr rifles are already in the course of delivery. We are also improving accommodation. That is as much as can be done this year but I expect to have the plan by the end of the year and things will begin to happen from then.
On the overseas aspect, is it correct that there has been no applications in this regard? From talking to members of the FCA, it is my view that they see that as the ultimate. Will that be feasible under the restructuring and training which is taking place on the ground? Does the Minister see that as being the ultimate? Many young people are interested in joining the FCA. On Tuesday and Thursday nights young people from south Kildare can be seen preparing to leave for the base in Portlaoise. Obviously these young people are interested in the FCA. Will the overseas aspect become a reality in the short-term? I accept what the Minister has said in regard to organisation and the need for better equipment and a more structured position. However, at the end of the day, these young people want to put their training into action. Does the Minister see that happening next year or what is the timeframe in that regard?
There are two aspects to that question. First, Deputy Wall knows we have stepped up on training. I inherited a situation where there was just one week's training. That has been increased to 14 days. The man days has been increased from 70,000 to 90,000 last year to 100,000 this year. The opportunity for training has been greatly increased. When I introduced the White Paper it was hoped we might see the first recruits, subject to qualifications, availability and so on, going on overseas duty this year. I do not know whether that target can be reached. I hoped it would happen within two years on the basis that there might be at least a number of specialists in some of the areas where we already have some difficulty in fulfilling our missions and that I would have a real opportunity to move quickly on that issue.
The second question relates to the integrated reserve where there would have to be considerable training to bring people up to the level required to go to the missions. I hoped the opportunity would present itself a little earlier on the specialist side. It is a blueprint in the White Paper. It is something we will do and, needless to say, it would be fantastic from a morale point of view for some people in the reserve. As I said earlier, this is normal in many other countries.
Is the new recruitment campaign also aimed at recruitment into the FCA? Has the Minister taken steps to encourage female recruitment vis-à-vis the height requirement? Does he propose to abolish the height requirement for males and females entering the Defence Forces? Given that it has been done by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, it seems logical and reasonable that he might take that innovative step. Is he concerned that many officers have left the Permanent Defence Forces in recent years, many of whom have intimated they wish to join the Reserve Defence Forces? Is he concerned, due to the fact that the report has been left on the shelf for so long that many of these people may lose interest and move on?
The Minister referred to the shortage of specialists going overseas. I assume he is talking about doctors and engineers. Have any of these specialists been detailed to go overseas against their wishes in recent years?
It seems Deputy Timmins has some way of listening to me when I am dealing privately with some of the senior people in the Defence Forces.
If only.
The height requirement was discussed in the last couple of weeks. As the Deputy will be aware, I decreased the height requirement for females and found that I had run into trouble on the basis of equality. Therefore, it was necessary to decrease the height for men to the same level to meet those requirements. This is ridiculous, but I am required to do so.
In view of very strong advice from the medical personnel in the Defence Forces in regard to training requirements, weight and so on which must be carried, I must, for the time being at least, adhere to the current height requirements. However, it is something which will be reviewed in due course. In view of potential injury, particularly spinal injury, I must take full account of the advice given to me.
I will consider the issue of facilitating older members of the FCA. The recruitment campaign will aim primarily at getting people into the Permanent Defence Forces. I will see to what extent that can help on the reserve side.
I do not think the Minister addressed the shortage of specialists and whether any of them were detailed to serve overseas in recent years.
On the height issue, does he agree that if the same height requirement is necessary for males and females, based on the fact that the average height of a male is greater than the average height of a female, there is an equality issue vis-à-vis males in this case?
Deputy Timmins knows well that I agree completely with him on that issue. He asked me a few years ago whether I would examine this. I did so and reduced the height requirement for females. I then found I had another problem on my hands and I had to adjust it again. It is ridiculous. However, that is part and parcel of the world in which we live. The language I am now using should probably be used rather sparingly. It is how I feel about the matter. I felt there was an inequality because females are generally smaller than men and I believed that aspect should be taken into account. However, that is the current position.
Did I understand the Minister to say the expert group did not see any point in having the FCA involved in preliminary training to fly aircraft or the possibility of creating an interest in the FCA in regard to the Air Corps? As we know there are problems retaining personnel in the Air Corps. Young members who join the FCA might find it exciting if there was a possibility they could join the Air Corps. Is it true there is no substance to providing that as an extra incentive to people to join the FCA or to try to link the FCA with the Air Corps?
I would be prepared to consider that in light of what the Deputy has said. However, we must bear in mind that some of the areas to which he referred involve not just part-time activities. Even those who are full-time have very strenuous retraining schedules and so on. While I do not want to get away from the reality, I will sympathetically consider some aspects.
Does the Minister agree there is a cadre of personnel in the Reserve Defence Forces who are patriotic, committed and wish to serve their country and that very often they are just involved in training? Has he considered any other role for these people?
In regard to the Slua Muirí, has the Minister considered the future of the Jeanie Johnston as a sailing training vessel for the Reserve Defence Forces or the Defence Forces generally?
The answer to the second question is "No".
Nobody wants it.
Is the Deputy surprised?
A Minister with imagination might be.
Obviously, we have to keep our heads in terms of what can be done within my budget in terms of the Asgard etc.
There is no truth in the rumour that the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform would take it.
It could be difficult to find a home for it, a matter we will deal with another time. In terms of the consultative process, opening up the integrated reserve, approving accommodation, better equipment and uniforms, I accept that we have more to do. There are pressures on the young people concerned as well as on the members of the reserves. They have full-time jobs and are not getting as much time off because pressure is exerted on them to stay where they are – the pressure may not have been as keen before. Within those limits and in the consultative process with the RDFRA, I will hear what suggestions they are making. The geographical base is very varied in which there may well be something useful.
