Billy Timmins
Ceist:119 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Defence when the study of the Reserve Defence Forces will be completed; and the composition of the steering group in this regard. [3658/99]
Written Answers - Defence Forces Reserve.
The Defence Forces review implementation plan, 1996 to 1998, which was approved by Government in March 1996, provides for a special study of the reserve to be undertaken during the lifetime of the plan. In November 1997 I announced the setting up of a joint civilian-military steering group to carry out this examination. As part of the examination process the chief of staff had established a military board to conduct a study of the reserve. The membership of the joint civilian-military steering group comprises an independent chairman, three senior military officers, three senior civil servants from my Department and a serving FCA Officer.
Although I have not specified deadlines in the terms of reference of the steering group for the submission of an interim or final report, the steering group submitted an interim report on 30 July 1998. In December 1998 the military board forwarded an initial, incomplete draft of its final report to the steering group for consideration. The steering group has completed its consideration of the draft report and has conveyed its views and recommendations thereon to the military board which will, in due course, submit its final report to the group. On conclusion of its considerations and deliberations the steering group will submit a final report to me.
Billy Timmins
Ceist:120 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Defence the number of applications his Department currently has to join the reserve of officers first line; and the date of the longest outstanding application. [3659/99]
A total of 107 applications for appointment to the Reserve of Officers First Line are in hand. The longest outstanding application was submitted to the military authorities on 10 June 1996. No appointments to the Reserve of Officers First Line are being made pending the completion of the study of the Defence Forces Reserve being carried out by the steering group appointed in 1998. The steering group expects to submit its report later this year.