Paddy McHugh
Question:5 Mr. McHugh asked the Minister for Defence if it is intended that the FCA unit in Athenry, County Galway, will be maintained at its present strength; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13348/03]
Ceisteanna – Questions. Priority Questions. - Defence Forces Reserve.
On 15 January 2003 I approved in principle the report of the Reserve Defence Forces Review Implementation Board for the implementation of the recommendations of the special steering group on the reserve which had 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 re-organised 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 specific aspect will, in general terms, be retained in 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 within each 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 decisions have yet been taken on the location of 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 take part in the new enhanced Reserve Defence Force.
Members of the FCA are already seeing the benefits of the re-organisation process 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 am mindful of the need to preserve and retain the 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.
No final decision on the amalgamation of FCA units will be taken until I have had the opportunity to examine and approve the final amalgamation proposals which are to be submitted to me by June, 2003. However, the General Officer Commanding, Western Brigade, has proposed the amalgamation of the 18th Infantry Battalion with the 25th Infantry Battalion and a consequent reduction in the number of companies. This proposal will in effect concentrate efforts and training resources in Athenry where on average 75 members of the FCA attend annual training each year. The Reserve Defence Force will remain a vibrant part of the community in the Athenry area. No Reserve Defence Force location will be closed and no member of the RDF will be asked or required to terminate service.
I thank the Minister for his reply and note what he said. Will he clarify that, in the amalgamation to which he has referred, the local FCA unit in Athenry will not be disbanded, downgraded, demoted or relocated outside the town? I seek this clarification because Athenry has had a military presence since its foundation in 1242. It was one of the few places and maybe the only one outside Dublin that took part in the Easter Rising.
The concern in Athenry is that, in the review to which the Minister referred, the association of the town with the FCA down the years will stand for nothing and the fact that the force has provided an environment for the development of local youth in the town and has nurtured a sense of pride in the Defence Forces in general will be disregarded.
What effect, if any, will the proposed amalgamation to which he has referred of the 18th and 25th infantry battalions have on FCA units within the region?
The amalgamation of the 18th and 25th infantry battalions will have a consequent reduction in the number of companies. The proposal will in effect concentrate efforts and training resources in Athenry where on average 75 members of the FCA attend annual training each year. The Reserve Defence Force will remain a vibrant part of the community in the Athenry area. It would be difficult to improve on what I said in reply to the question.
In the final part of his question, Deputy McHugh asked what would be the advantages. A significant review was undertaken involving members of the reserve to find out what was wrong with the force, how it needed to be improved and what should happen into the future. A number of items emerged. There was a difficulty in recruiting new members and training was far from adequate and varied throughout the country. I want to give an opportunity for members of the reserve to participate ultimately in overseas missions. Benefits have already been seen in training, accommodation and improvements in equipment and clothing.
All these proposals arise from a significant review. We had recommendations from the steering group report and now we have the implementation plan over a six year period. This will place the reserve on a much stronger footing into the future. Athenry remains an integral part of all this development and should have no fears for the future.
Will the Minister clarify his statement? He said amalgamations will take place but also that no locations will be closed. Perhaps I am not getting the message but I find that difficult to comprehend. If amalgamations occur, surely there will be a need for fewer locations. Am I misunderstanding something?
No, because in the context of the reserve, I said I wanted to maintain the geographical spread. There are many isolated areas where people would be too far from the main centre and I therefore want to keep them as active and participating as much as I can. We do not foresee the need for closures.
As has been the case with the Permanent Defence Force, some places need greater access to better equipment, centralised training and better opportunities to allow them recruit new members as a result of that. The "stay as you were, change nothing, keep everything we have together" policy, either in Government, the shop one owns, the farm one has or the business one runs, is a recipe for decay and disaster. We must move on.