In November 1997 the Government directed that an interdepartmental working group be established to consider legislative measures arising from the army hearing loss litigation. The group was chaired by the Department of Defence and comprised the Departments of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Finance, Enterprise, Trade and Employment as well as the Office of the Attorney General. It formalised pre-existing contacts between these Departments. The committee reported to the Government on 20 April 1998 and, in consequence of its recommendations legislation is being enacted at present.
Also, in January 1998, I established a steering group to oversee and direct a review of the Reserve Defence Force. The steering group has eight members — an independent chairman, who is a specialist in the field of organisation and restructuring, three senior military officers, three senior civil servants and a serving officer of An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiuil. Secretarial services are provided by a civil servant. The chairman is paid an agreed hourly rate for his services and travelling expenses. To date, this is the sole cost of this steering group. As part of its work, the steering group will be visiting a small number of reserve training exercises and camps, and the usual travelling and subsistence costs will be incurred.
I have not specified any deadlines in the steering group's terms of reference for the submission of an interim or final report however I am confident that the group will conduct the study as quickly as possible and submit its recommendations at the earliest possible date.
Finally, I have recently agreed with the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation that a working group be established to examine funding for the Army Equitation School.