Vol. 498 No. 2
76 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Defence the rate of progress of the implementation plan in the Defence Forces; the current plans, if any, there are to ensure completion of the implementation plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12933/98]
The Defence Forces Review Implementation Plan, 1996-1998 was adopted by Government in February 1996. The reorganisation process is continuing and the first phase of the implementation plan will be substantially completed by the end of 1998.
I am very, satisfied with the overall reorganisation process thus far. Last week, the third and final phase of the scheme of voluntary early retirement for PDF personnel concluded. In October the organisation for Defence Force headquarters came into place and in November, the new Army structure, comprising three brigades and the Defence Forces training centre, was introduced. In addition, in the past six months the report of the studies of the Air Corps and Naval
Service has been published, the Defence Act, 1954 has been amended and the Government has approved the closure of a number of military barracks.
