Vol. 508 No. 2
82 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Defence the timeframe for the completion of the review of the role of the reserve forces; if he will reconsider his Department's position and allow RDFRA to participate in familiarisation visits abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18459/99]
The Defence Forces review implementation plan, 1996-1998, which was approved by Government in March 1996 provides for a special study of the reserve defence force, which consists of the first line reserve made up of former members of the Permanent Defence Force, An Fóras Cosanta Áitiúil and An Slua Muirí, to be undertaken during the lifetime of the plan. Accordingly, 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 established a military board to conduct a study of the reserve. Part of the function of the joint civilian-military steering group was to oversee and guide the military board in its task. The steering group recently completed its examination and submitted a draft report which I am currently in the process of examining.
The question of members of the reserve defence force serving overseas was included in the terms of reference of the special study of the reserve and pending more detailed examination of the steering group's report, it would be premature for members of the Reserve Defence Force Representative Association to visit overseas missions.
