Vol. 555 No. 5
135 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Defence his plans for the retention of the 19th FCA Battalion in Manorhamilton, County Leitrim; if he will give a commitment that it will not be downgraded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18833/02]
I am advised by the military authorities that a military board, the Reserve Defence Force Review Implementation Board, was established to formulate a plan for the implementation of the recommendations of the special steering group on the reserve. I established the steering group in 1998 to undertake a study of the reserve and the group reported to me in September 1999. In June of this year, I received the draft reserve defence force review implementation board report from the chief of staff and it is currently under examination.
The steering group report proposed an amalgamation of the 19th Infantry Battalion and the 24th Infantry battalion. The military authorities have advised me that this proposed amalgamation will provide an optimal environment for personnel in the relevant areas to actively take part in the new enhanced Reserve Defence Force envisaged both by the reserve steering group and by the recent military implementation board. I am advised that this proposed amalgamation will not affect the use of the current departmental premises in Manorhamilton.
