Vol. 562 No. 1
215 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Defence the way in which the respective former FCA and Slua Muirí units are to be re-organised and integrated into the PDF across the country; the progress which has been made to date in this regard; the anticipated timescale; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5708/03]
On 15 January 2003 I approved, in principle, the report of the Reserve Defence Forces Review Implementation Board. The board was established to formulate a plan for the implementation of the recommendations of the special steering group on the reserve. The steering group which I established to undertake a study of the reserve reported to me in September 1999. 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 the changes in the Reserve Defence Force will take place over a period of about 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 will be determined in the course of the ongoing detailed implementation process. Plans are being prepared by each general officer commanding a brigade for the amalgamation of FCA units in line with the proposals outlined in the steering group report. The objective of this process is to ensure that better training and other facilities will be provided to members of the Reserve Defence Force. No decision has been taken on the location of the proposed newly amalgamated units, but the military authorities have advised me that all proposed amalgamations will provide an optimal environment for personnel in the relevant areas to partake in the new enhanced Reserve Defence Force.
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. It is also proposed to have a dedicated Naval Service reserve – An Slua Muirí – of about 400 personnel, of all ranks.
Members of the FCA are seeing benefits in terms of better clothing, improved equipment and more and better quality training. As the process develops we will see additional benefits in terms of a clearer role for the reserve, a better overall organisation structure and opportunities for suitably qualified reserve personnel to serve overseas. We will also see benefits from the closer integration of the reserve with the Army. I emphasise that I am 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.
